24/05/2005 - The Environment
Agency is today (Tuesday) reminding all
businesses that produce hazardous waste
that they can now save themselves time and
money by registering online.
Under new regulations, any business in England
and Wales that creates waste falling into
one of a range of categories designated
as ‘hazardous’ may need to register with
the Environment Agency.
Businesses are already able to register
by telephone or by post. Now, simply by
registering through the Environment Agency
website, businesses could save themselves
up to £10 a time.
From 16 July 2005 new rules will mean that
a range of everyday items such as fluorescent
tubes, computer monitors and TVs will be
deemed to be hazardous. This means that
many more businesses will now be subject
to the regulations, and will need to change
their practices and comply with the rules
in order to dispose of their waste legally.
Businesses that only produce small amounts
of ‘hazardous’ waste, however, may qualify
for an exemption from the need to register.
Liz Parkes, Head of Waste Regulation at
the Environment Agency said: "The new
rules mean that more businesses out there
will be producing hazardous waste. Many
of them won’t realise that some of the items
they throw away everyday will, from July,
be reclassified and will need to be managed
carefully as they pose a risk to the environment
and human health.
"These companies will need to register
with the Environment Agency. If they don’t,
not only could they find themselves being
prosecuted but also with a problem getting
someone to take their waste away, as it
will be an offence for anyone to handle
it. The new online system makes it even
easier and cheaper to register with the
Environment Agency."
The online register and other useful information
relating to the new rules can be found on
the Environment Agency website. (see link)
Businesses wishing to get advice on the
Hazardous Waste Regulations or to register
by phone or by post can do so by calling
08708 502858.
