The Future of the NHHWF

The NHHWF has released a statement regarding the future of the fourm, following the EGM held on 10th March.

The statement can be downloaded here.

Recycle Week: Call for Questions!

The NHHWF teamed up with WRAP to help you prepare for National Recycle Week (21-27 June 2010) which for the first time focused on small Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)!

We asked you for your questions, and together with WRAP have done our best to answer them. The full Q&A is now available for members to download by simply clicking on the link below.

Download the Recycle Week Q&A now!

Please note: The password for members only areas of the website has been provided in your membership pack. If you are in the process of renewing your membership but have not yet received your membership pack for 2010-11, please email us for temporary access.

Defra publishes position statement on Schedule 2

Defra, DCSF, DoH, BIS and NOMS have published a joint statement entitled "Publicly funded bodies and the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992". You can download the statement here.

Minosus Visit

The NHHWF enjoyed a most successful trip to Veolia Environmental Services’ underground waste storage facility, Minosus, in Cheshire which took members 170 metres underground to explore the vast rock salt mine.

Thanks to the self supporting structure of the mine, business underground was able to diversify in 1997 to include a hazardous waste storage facility, in anticipation of the 2004 ban on co-disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. The first batch of hazardous waste arrived on site in 2005.

The waste storage facility operates within a massive 2 million cubic metre void (this being less than 10% of the mine’s total capacity for storage); the dry, stable, gas-free location is ideal for permanent storage of hazardous waste and is deemed a better practicable environmental option than surface disposal at hazardous waste landfill. About 90% of the waste stored here is residues from other waste management facilities and thermal treatment processes that generate Air Pollution Control (APC) residues.

Despite spending one of the sunniest afternoons of the year underground, this fascinating visit was thoroughly enjoyed by all the forum members who attended (even if they did all end the day tasting vaguely of salt).

Members of the Haz Forum surrounded by hazardous waste and rock salt