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Polluters face new jail threat
Page 52
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• Since 1 September this year, all businesses disposing of waste oil have had to comply with new Government regulations designed to ensure the safe and environmentally sound disposal of hazardous wastes.
The definition Made under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and replacing existing regulations, the new Special Waste Regulations 1996 extend the definition of "special" (the term used to describe those wastes which are potentially the most harmful to the environment and public health) to include waste oil and used oil filters for the first time.
Most wastes previously defined as special under the old 1980 regulations are still classified as special under the new ones. They include anything that can be construed as hazardous or toxic including battery acid, paint thinners, and contaminated diesel or petrol. The new rules are being enforced by the Environment Agency (EA) in England and Wales, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in Scotland. For information on the position in Northern Ireland contact the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment on 01232 540540.
Special waste
As with all other types of waste, special waste can only be collected by a registered carrier, and a system of coded consignment notes has been introduced which gives each batch a unique identity. This allows EA/SEPA to track it to ensure that it's disposed of properly.
A fee of £15 is levied on individual consignments, but it may be possible to reduce this fee if it is part of a waste carrier's collection round.
Failure to comply with these latest regulations could result in a penalty of up to £5,000 and/or up to two years in [prison. Illegal waste disposal and water pollution can attract unlimited fines and/or a prison sentence.
• For further information ring 0645 333111 (England & Wales). All calls are charged at the local rate, and callers are directed to the nearest EA area office.
• The EA has set up a single central administrative office to issue special waste consignment notes and codes, and to handle invoicing and payment for the whole of England & Wales. Ring 0345 001166 (local rate charged) or fax 01733 358172 for details. Alternatively write to the Environment Agency, PO Box 398, Peterborough, PE2 5DW.
• For Scotland contact SEPA on 01786 457700.
• A free leaflet, Special Waste Regulations, 1996—Now They Affect You (Ref WP147), published by the Department of the Environment, the Welsh Office, and the Scottish Office, is available from these three sources, and from EA offices.
• The EA has itself produced a series of free leaflets explaining how special waste is classified and how to obtain, complete and send consignment notes. Copies are available from EA offices.
• Ideally, hauliers want to deal with a single, reputable, registered carrier who will take away all their waste; old exhaust pipes and brake shoes as well as used engine oil and filters.
• One of the biggest is Liverpool-based Waste Oils (0151 549 1434), which runs a number of carrier rounds nationwide. It has introduced a computerised system which will automatically notify the EA 72 hours before collection (the new Special Wastes Regulations require advance notification of uplifts) from all of its regular customers. Waste Oils absorbs all EA fees into its payment structure. It's also brought in a scheme called Filterbank. It supplies a lidded container into which all the old filters go, and will take it away and empty it once it's full. The charge is from £40 to £49 per container. If the customer takes a Filterbank, then Waste Oils will pay him for loads of waste oil of 151 gallons or more (251 gallons without a Filterbank). The payment scale runs from 4p a gallon to more than 10p a gallon for 1,001 gallons or more if you have a Filterbank.
Waste Oils will also take away brake fluid, antifreeze, contaminated fuels, brake shoes, pads, and clutches. • Another worth talking to is J&K Oils, in effect the waste oil collection arm of oil recy cler Interline (01782 814414). Its newly-formed
sister company Vehicle Waste Recovery will collect and dispose of all types of garage waste.
• Orcol Fuels (0113 253 3571) also collects waste oil for recycling. Its stablemate, Orcol Garage Services, will pick up used oil filters, brake fluid, batteries and similar waste products.