Waste management

Question 1

What is Waste?

Answer 1

• “Any substance or object the holder discards, intends or is required to discard”
• European Waste Framework Directive 2008 (WFD 2008, Article 3.1)

Question 2

What are SDGs 6 and 7?

Answer 2

• SDG 6 - clean water and sanitation
• SDG 7 - affordable and clean energy

Question 3

List the waste hiararchy from least to most conservation of resources

Answer 3

• Disposal
• Recovery
• Recycling
• Reuse
• Prevention

Shift towards the top of the hiararchy in Waste Management Plan for England 2021

Question 4

Name two of the UK clean growth strategies key waste targets

Answer 4

• Recycle 65% of municipal waste by 2035 (stuck at 44/45% for a decade)
• UK to be a zero avoidable waste economy by 2050

Question 5

Name the UKs key waste management legislation

Answer 5

• Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005, plus 2009, 2015 and 2016 amendments
• Producer Responsibility Obligations (packaging waste) Regulations 2007 (from 1997 and amendments)
• Environmental Permitting Regulations 2007, 2010 and 2016
• The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011
• WEEE Regulations (and Amendments 2013)
• Environment Act 2021

Question 6

What are the key features of the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 and amendment?

Answer 6

• Requires businesses to implemement the waste hierarchy
• Waste collection authorities required to collect waste paper, metal, plastic and glass separately (from Jan 2015)
• Change to waste carrier and broker registration - introduced concept of ‘waste dealer’

Question 7

What does duty of care mean?

Answer 7

• You never lose your legal responsibility for the waste you produce

Question 8

How long do you have to keep waste transfer notes for?

Answer 8

At least two years

Question 9

What do waste transfer notes do?

Answer 9

Agree on all waste quantities, waste codes and correct descriptions with transfer company and countersigned by all parties

Question 10

What will the Separation of Waste Regulations 2025 mean for household waste?

Answer 10

Households and workplaces will be required to separate their waste into 4 separate containers
- Residual (non-recyclable) waste
- Food waste (mixed with garden waste if appropriate)
- Paper and card
- all other dry recyclable materials (plastic, metal, glass)

Question 11

Define Hazardous Waste

Answer 11

Waste materials that are potentially toxic and dangerous to the human and natural environment (examples: asbestos, oil, solvents etc)

Question 12

How long do you have to retain Waste Consignment Notes (WCNs) for

Answer 12

A minimum of 3 years

Question 13

When is a substance or object no longer considered waste?

Answer 13

Once it has been fully recovered and no longer poses a potential threat to the environment

Question 14

What are the key features of the EU Circular economy package?

Answer 14

• Monitoring Framework on progress towards a circular economy
• UK requirements transferred in the Environment Act 2021
• Focus on considering waste management in the design phase
• Led to revised waste targets

Question 15

Describe the series of actions a company, as a producer of non hazardous waste, must take to comply with the Duty of Care regime

Answer 15

• Ensure all waste removal companies are registered with the EA and have the correct permits
• Waste transfer notes agree on all waste quantities, waste codes and descriptions with the transfer company
• Periodically audit the company
• Keep copies of waste transfer notes for a minimum of 2 years