The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011
These new regulations introduce important regulations for all waste producers.
The key changes come into effect on 28th September 2011.
Essentially, these regulations demand an even better environmental performance from all waste producers – including hazardous waste. Instead of simply encouraging waste minimisation, recycling and re-use, these regulations demand compliance and require a signature for each consignment confirming the law has been followed.
Main Changes
Transfer notes must now include:
- The SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) code of the person transferring the waste*
- A signed statement that the waste transferor has applied the new Waste Management Hierarchy.
Waste Management Hierarchy
Waste producers must now observe a prescribed order in dealing with their various wastes.
The order is:
- Prevention - using best efforts to minimise the generation of waste
- Preparing for Re-Use – routing the waste for return to its original formulation
- Recycling – routing the waste for conversion into another product or formulation
- Recovery – reclaiming some/all of the waste (eg for energy)
- Disposal – the last resort if no use can be made of the waste
This places quite a burden on waste producers, who theoretically need to know which process option is commercially available for each waste they produce. In practice, the waste contractor will often be best placed to advise the viable options, and Red Industries will ensure its customers are offered the process or disposal routes most appropriate to their wastes and to the new law. However, customers should be aware of the need to satisfy themselves fully that the best option has been selected, as their signature is required on Transfer Notes to confirm this.
SIC Codes
These business activity codes are already required for hazardous waste movements, so customers with hazardous waste will not need to change any procedures. However, customers with non-hazardous streams will need to add the SIC category to their documentation.
For non-hazardous wastes, a list of codes can be found at:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/methods_quality/sic/downloads/uk_sic_vol1(2003).pdf
For hazardous wastes, the list is found at:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/methods_quality/sic/downloads/uk_sic2007explanatory notes.pdf
If you have any queries about the new Regulations, please call our support team on 01782 824026
