11th March, 2010
News
Switch on to the switchover
MRW subscribers may have noticed that an article written by the NHHWF has been published in this week's (5th March) magazine. The article focuses on the recent boom in CRT recycling during the digital switchover (Viridor Laing Greater Manchester for example saw CRT collections increase from 4,500 to 6,000 tonnes per year, an increase of 34%, from 2nd November 2009 – the start of the digital switchover in the Granada region). Subscribers should turn to page 20 to read more!
March Edition of Hazcare News
Download the March Edition of Hazcare News now!
Happenings
- NHHWF Spring Seminar
- Switch on to the switchover
- NHHWF Consultation Response
- Training Courses
Batteries
- Retailer battery recycling collection may vary between retailers
- Largest ‘closed loop’ battery recycling system from Valpak
- Battery figures miscalculated by Government
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
- Small WEEE bring sites for Cherwell
- WEEE schemes look set for a smoother 2010
- Environmental permitting changes will make it easier to store WEEE
- Free WEEE collections for Scarborough
- Recycle Week 2010 to focus on waste electricals
Other HHW
- Schedule 2 premises must not dump rubbish on taxpayers, say London Councils
- Pesticides Consultation
- Solvent-based Paint: Legislation Update
The NHHWF has moved!
And our new address is:
NHHWF
c/o Resource Futures,
1st Floor, Royal House
28 Sovereign Street
Leeds
LS1 4BJ
Please note that our telephone number has changed, and is now 0113 200 3950.
WEEECAF Meeting, 1st October 2009
The minutes and presentations from the latest WEEECAF Forum are available for members to download, via the following links:
Minosus Visit
The autumn site visits are now underway, following a most successful trip to Veolia Environmental Services’ underground waste storage facility, Minosus, in Cheshire which took NHHWF 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).
Have a look at the photos…
The hazardous waste is packed in strong, sealed bags
And is then sent down the mine shaft in large crates
The waste is stacked up 550 foot underground
As you can see here
Having a closer inspection
Members of the Haz Forum surrounded by hazardous waste and rock salt
The Haz Forum Goes Digitial!
NEWS RELEASE: THE HAZ FORUM GOES DIGITAL!
WIN to host series of online conferences in May
Wednesday 13 May 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The National Household Hazardous Waste Forum (NHHWF) is going digital!
Throughout May, the Forum, which is delivered by the Leeds branch of the environmental consultancy Resource Futures, will be offering a series of web-based seminars to its members. The new-style events are being hosted by the Waste Improvement Network which provides sector-led support for the local government waste sector.
The first presentation: ‘What Happens to Waste Batteries?’ will be delivered by Michael Green from G&P Batteries on Thursday 14 May 2009. This will be followed on Wednesday 20 May by another presentation about batteries, this time from a community recycling perspective, by Mark Hatwood from Cobra.
At the end of the month (Thursday 28 May) Dr Terry Tudor from The University of Northampton will repeat his presentation ‘Guidance and Definitions of Healthcare Waste’, which he gave in person to a receptive audience at the last NHHWF seminar; a more traditional Forum event that took place in the London Borough of Sutton in February.
Members of the Forum will need to register with the Resource Efficiency Knowledge Transfer Network and install the web conferencing software prior to the event. This is simple and members should contact WIN for details.
“I am really excited about these web conferences,” said Emma Kerrigan, NHHWF Project Manager. “They are an interesting development for the Forum, which, in the past, has held traditional seminars. They are also great value for our members in that we can deliver more events on the subjects they want to hear about more often.”
It’s not too late to join the NHHWF! Please contact Resource Futures on: 0113 243 8777 to become a member.
For further information, please contact:
Helen Peacock, Resource Futures 0113 200 3952
Emma Kerrigan, Resource Futures 0113 200 3956
Notes to Editors:
1. The National Household Hazardous Waste Forum (NHHWF) was established in 1993 to develop innovative, yet practical, solutions for the management of small quantities of household hazardous waste or HH-type waste
2. HH-type waste is any material discarded by a household or small business that is difficult to dispose of or which puts human health or the environment at risk because of its chemical or biological nature
3. HH-type waste includes: asbestos, fluorescent tubes, gas bottles, fridges and freezers, healthcare wastes, household and garden chemicals, motoring products, oils and oil filters, paints and related products, televisions and computer monitors, portable batteries and vehicle batteries
4. The Waste Improvement Network provides sector-led support for the local government waste sector. Find out more about What WIN Can Do For You or Register with WIN for FREE to receive help, guidance and support, more online events and a regular e-Bulletin.
You can now download May's presentations here;
"What happens to waste batteries?" presented by Michael Green (14/05/09)
The CoBRA (Community Battery Recycling Alliance) Scheme presented by Mark Hatwood (20/05/2009)
Managing healthcare waste from the community, presented by Dr Terry Tudor (28/05/2009)
WEEECAF (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Civic Amenity Site Forum)
WEEECAF is a discussion forum to identify and promote good practice. The aim is to create an integrated approach between all stakeholders to achieve a practical and robust implementation of the WEEE regulations. To find out more about WEEECAF please click here.
If you would like any further information about WEEECAF please contact Bill Griffiths: BGriffiths@viridor-waste.co.uk
HazCare News - Past Editions
HazCare News is an e-mail newsletter sent to all members of the NHHWF every month. Past editions can be accessed by members by following the links below:
Happenings
Final week to sign up for NHHWF Spring Seminar!
Batteries
Accumulator receives EA approval
Battery collections are producer’s responsibility, says LGA
Leading bin supplier gets “Straight” down to business
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
New WEEE Guidance
Lamp recycling awareness film
First ever successful WEEE prosecution
"Frustration" over lack of national WEEE campaign
We want to triple collection points, say Recolight
Schedule 2 Waste
Schedule 2 revision likely to be achieved “quicker”
Contents
Happenings
•NHHWF Spring Seminar: ‘Healthcare Waste: Sterile Matter or Infectious Issue?’
Batteries
•New Year brings new battery legislation
•DHL compliance scheme approval removed
•Defra ditch pink battery colour
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
•Sims Recycling launches new WEEE recycling website
•Revised WEEE Regs agreement not expected until end of the year
•WEEE director to be sentenced
Hazardous Waste
•“Pioneering” paint recycling scheme gets underway
•Utility firms set to benefit from electronic meter recycling
Contents
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
•BIS publishes revised WEEE regulations
•Cheshire councils launch small WEEE bring banks
•WAB gets 11 new experts
Batteries
•Battery register reveals “who got who”
•Batteries permitting guidance published
Hazardous Waste
•Cost of Schedule 2 could reach £32 million a year
•Consultation for healthcare waste in the home
•New Asbestos Guide from NetRegs
Illegal Activity
•Tyre campaign launched by SEPA
•Brazil waste shipping suspects bailed once again
•Five arrests in connection with hazardous drum dumping
Legislations News
•Commission calls for better implementation of EU waste law
•Amendment comes into effect for Hazardous Waste (Wales) Regulations
And finally…
•Getting WEEE all WRAPped up
November 2009
Contents
Happenings
•‘WEEE Communications and Reuse’ Seminar
•NHHWF AGM
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
•Councils to tackle low-energy lightbulb waste
•Poor communities suffer under the WEEE directive
•Has the UK WEEE system reached a "pivotal point”?
•Victory for Econo-Weee and Transform
•Broader role for official behind delivery of WEEE regulations
•Boots extends recycling campaign
Batteries
•BatteryBack signs up Supermarket Giants
•Sainsbury's plans in-store collection of bulbs and batteries
•Councils also step up battery collections
•But where will our batteries be recycled?
Hazardous Waste
•£40,000 fine for Biffa’s asbestos mishandling
•Producers should take more responsibility, says LARAC
Chemicals
•Defra opens consultations on Detergents Regulations update
And finally…
•Take ‘em both back: Lewisham libraries now accept books and batteries!
October 2009
Happenings
•‘WEEE Communications and Reuse’ Seminar
•NHHWF AGM
•Salt mine visit
•Free breakfast seminars on WEEE Regulations
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
•Revised WEEE regulations expected this month
•Fresh concerns over EC WEEE collection target
•Approved compliance scheme list for 2010 published
•Calls for more focus on small WEEE collection
•Predictions of a light bulb `recycling tsunami`
Batteries
•Approved battery compliance schemes announced
•Doubt over acievement of battery recycling targets
•Portugal approves first company to manage collection of used batteries
Hazardous Waste
•Environment Agency will be “more intelligent” to prevent Brazil repeat
Chemicals
•New guidance for storing hazardous chemicals
And finally…
•Recycling the ‘McAlsee Way’
Happenings
•NHHWF AGM
•WEEE Communications and Reuse Event
•Site Visits
•WEEE Breakfast Seminars
Hazardous Waste
•Storing hazardous wastes at HWRCs
•Scotland’s first batch gasification plant officially opened
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
•First free house-to-house WEEE collection service
•Dimming the lights - 100W light bulb phase-out begins
•Lamp and batteries compliance schemes team up
•Retailers call for domestic appliance scrappage scheme
•WEEE forum key figures report
•High Court rules WEEE regulations lawful
•Government clarifies position post-REPIC ruling
Batteries
•Shoppers pay the price for battery regulations
Oil
•Draft Quality Protocol for processed fuel oil from waste lubricating oil published
August 2009
Happenings
•NHHWF AGM
•WEEE Communications and Reuse Event
•Site Visit to Minosus
Consultations
•Hazardous Waste Strategy and EU Waste Framework Directive
•Waste Duty of Care Code of Practice
Hazardous Issues
•Illegal Waste Exports
•Temperature Control
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
•A WEEE Hoard
•Local Authorities Do It Better!
•WEEELABEX
•The EPA Spells It Out for ABC
Batteries
•Batt. Boxes
•But can the Battery Regulations be justified?
End of Life Vehicles
Paint
And finally...
•Who said television was bad for you?
July 2009
Happenings
•NHHWF summer site visits
•WEEECAF
•‘How to Talk Rubbish’ Resources North Summer Seminar
Batteries
•Eight bid for battery compliance scheme contracts
•Battery take-back not off to a flying start
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
•50 questioned and hundreds of shipping containers impounded in EA raids
•Prosecution of UK WEEE recycler
•WEEE-ly unaware
•2008 WEEE targets met
•Legal challenge to the influence of market forces on WEEE compliance
•65% WEEE collection target
Hazardous Substances
•REACH Regulation
•Recent developments affecting CHIP 4 Regulations
Other news
•Mobile Boots
Happenings
•Launch of on-line NHHWF Haz Waste Events
•Resources North
Batteries
•Publication of government guidance on Battery Regulations
•Post-Batteries (please also see comment below)
WEEE
•Analogue WEEE
•Dell to end exports of WEEE
•UK remains WEEEak
•Lamp recycling
Hazardous Waste
•Cracking down on the illegal transport of waste
•Burden of Hazardous Waste Regulations on smaller companies eased
Other news
•Jumping on the bed wagon
With regard to the story 'Post-Batteries', Haz Forum member Michael Green, Managing Director of G&P Batteries has added:
"The EA have certainly done as you say, and have said they are relaxed about batteries being returned through the post, but unfortunately the rules concerning Hazardous Waste and its posting is only half the story. The Department for Transport are not happy about waste batteries being sent through the post – as some batteries are classed as dangerous goods, and as such come under the carriage of Dangerous goods regulations. The problem centres around Lithium batteries and sending them by air – around 40% of UK mail gets sent by air, and it is definitely not on to send lithium batteries in aeroplanes.
The situation is far from clear, and DEFRA, the EA and DfT are all working to resolve what can and can’t happen – but until this happens I would not want it to be generally thought that it is OK for anyone to send batteries by post – this is far from the case!"
May 2009
Haz Waste debates from your desk
WEEE update
- BERR consultation
- Environment Agency (EA) to tackle “the big, the bad and the nasty”
- WRAP support for recycled WEEE content in electrical products
- LARAC request for more WEEE funding
- ERP seeks views on challenges to WEEE sector
Batteries update
- Batteries regulations laid out before Parliament
- High entry costs for battery producers
Other news
- Changes take effect to Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005
- Regulatory statement, shows SEPA support for reuse of waste paints
NHHWF Haz Waste events from your desk
WEEE update
• Free household WEEE and batteries collection
• UK partnership to develop WEEE recycling plant in Nigeria
Other news
• Tyregenics sale plans "unaffected" by huge fire
• Dulux extends support for paint re-use
And finally… Sponsorship of Hazcare news.
March
WEEE update
• WEEE Evidence Trading
• Hampshire County Council accused of illegally exporting WEEE
• Revised draft WEEE regulations
• Sims open new WEEE recycling plant in Newport, South Wales
Batteries update
• BERR appoints batteries enforcement authority
Other news
• Developments in Energy Saving Lightbulbs
• End-of-waste criteria
• First nappy recycling plant to open near Birmingham
• Tyre recycling project goes into administration
And finally… WEECAF: a discussion forum to identify and promote good practice.
February
WEEE update
• Business WEEE recycling scheme
• Concern over new EU WEEE collection targets
• RAL also expresses concern over the proposed changes to the WEEE Directive
WEEE evidence trading
• Wincanton WEEE operations
Batteries update
• Award winning battery collection scheme goes nation wide
• Batteries consultation
And finally… WEECAF: a discussion forum to identify and promote good practice.
January
Batteries Update
• New Government consultation on Battery Regulations
• Concerns raised over battery targets
• Clarification on domestic battery collection points
WEEE Update
• Consultation on revisions to the WEEE regulations
• Electrolink evidence trading deals
• WEEE Awareness campaign launched
• Basildon WEEE firm goes into administration
Concern over proper disposal of end of life vehicles