Your Business and the Environment

5. Waste Management

You have a legal responsibility to ensure that your waste is handled properly.

5.1 The best form of waste management is waste minimisation.

• The costs of waste disposal have increased significantly over the past few years and this trend will to continue.
• Explore opportunities for elimination, reduction, re-use, recycling and recovery before disposal.

5.2 You must store waste safely and securely.

• Store waste in suitable containers which are clearly labelled and ensure waste cannot escape.
• Store normal and hazardous waste separately. For example, fluorescent tubes are hazardous waste and should not go in the normal bin.

5.3 You must ensure that the person collecting and disposing of your waste does so properly.

• Check that your collector has a licence from the Environment Agency to collect or transport waste.
• Make sure the carrier disposes of your waste at a site that is licensed to accept the type of waste your business generates.
• Fill in and sign the relevant transfer or consignment notes and keep a copy for a minimum of three years.

5.4 If your business is involved in producing or selling electrical and electronic equipment you have to comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive.

Visit www.envirowise.gov.uk for more details.