New legislation on how we deal with hazardous waste has come into force, and more is still to come.  So it is important that you know the facts and are prepared for how this may impact on you.

On January 2002 changes to the Hazardous Waste List were applied in the EU, this resulted in an additional 180 wastes classified hazardous. Small businesses, in particular - even some larger ones will now find themselves dealing with hazardous waste for the first time.

From 16th July 2004 the co-disposal of hazardous waste with non hazardous waste at the same landfill site was banned.

As of 16th July 2005 the Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) came into force. Producers of hazardous waste must now make sure that waste being sent to landfill meets the WAC. It is therefore essential that businesses can describe exactly what their waste contains, this 'characterisation' will determine what can be done to minimise it, ease its recovery or ensure its safe disposal.

If you are a business and you produce waste, your waste could now be classified as hazardous. Determining whether your waste is hazardous must be done by assessing the content of your waste streams.

If you are not sure whether you produce hazardous waste, or wish to find out more information on hazardous wastes, please contact the Environment & Heritage Service and speak to the Hazardous Waste Section on Tel: 028 9056 9710