Hazardous/special waste
Your business is likely to produce some hazardous/special waste, which is waste that is harmful to human health or the environment. This waste will be hazardous and may be flammable, corrosive, or ecotoxic - toxic to people or the environment.
In England, Northern Ireland and Wales this waste is called hazardous waste.
In Scotland, this waste is called special waste.
Examples of hazardous/special waste:
Examples of materials and substances that you may need to deal with as hazardous/special waste include:
- oil, oil filters and oil-contaminated materials such as rags and adsorbent granules
- oily sludges
- used solvents
- greases
- batteries
- chemicals which have been used on site
- contaminated absorbent materials
- brake linings containing asbestos.
What you must do
Identify hazardous/special waste.
If the waste you produce has hazardous properties, you may need to deal with it as hazardous/special waste. You will find information that can help you make this decision on safety data sheets and product labels.
Check containers.
If you intend to discard containers, you must assess whether they are hazardous/special waste. Containers may need to be classified as hazardous/special waste if they contain residues of hazardous or dangerous substances or materials. If the residue is hazardous, the whole container will be hazardous/special waste.
Use consignment notes.
If your business produces hazardous/special waste, you must:
- use consignment notes whenever the waste is moved to another location, and keep copies for three years
- keep copies of return to producer forms for three years (these are records of what has happened to your waste)
- in England and Wales, check whether you need to register annually with the Environment Agency
- in Northern Ireland and Scotland, notify the NIEA or SEPA at least three working days before the waste is moved
- comply with your duty of care for waste.
In England and Wales you can register or renew your premises with the Environment Agency online.
Environment Agency: Register or renew online as a hazardous waste producer
For more information see our hazardous/special waste guidance.
Use waste carriers.
You must ensure a registered or exempt waste carrier transports your hazardous/special waste. You can check your environmental regulator’s register of carriers and brokers to see if a carrier is registered or has an exemption.
Environment Agency: Your right to know - public registers
NIEA: Public register
SEPA: Who is registered?
Use permitted facilities.
You must also ensure that your hazardous/special waste is transferred to a facility authorised to accept that type of waste. The facility must hold a suitable:
Good practice
Research alternative materials and practices that do not produce, or produce less, hazardous/special waste.
Provide written instructions for storing and disposing of each type of hazardous/special waste produced on your premises. Ensure that all employees and contractors follow these instructions.
