27/06/2005 - Less than
a third of small and medium sized businesses
are aware of new rules on handling hazardous
waste according to new figures revealed today
by the Environment Agency.
The findings, which are the result of a survey
of more than 1000 small and medium sized businesses
in England and Wales found that only 28 per
cent of businesses interviewed knew about
new hazardous waste regulations which will
take effect from 16 July 2005.
The news comes as the Environment Agency
sets out its priorities for enforcing the
new rules. Under its enforcement policy, anyone
found to be illegally dumping or deliberately
trying to pass off hazardous waste as non-hazardous
could face prosecution by the Environment
Agency.
Under new regulations, most businesses in
England and Wales that create waste falling
into one of a range of categories designated
as ‘hazardous’ need to register with the Environment
Agency. Failure to do so could have serious
consequences. Waste carriers will not collect
waste from an unregistered producer and, ultimately,
failing to register is a prosecutable offence.
Producers also need to consign their waste
to properly authorised sites – which means
knowing what’s in the waste.
The results show a higher level of awareness
in industries that are already regulated by
the Environment Agency including the chemicals
industry and the non-ferrous metals manufacturers.
Only one in five motor vehicle service and
repair garages were aware.
Liz Parkes, Head of Waste Regulation at the
Environment Agency, said: “The new rules will
mean that there will be more businesses producing
hazardous waste. These results show that many
are not aware that their waste is hazardous
and must be managed very carefully.
“We have worked closely with industry, set
up workshops and roadshows, and published
guidance to raise awareness of the changes
so everyone should be aware that these rules
are coming. Anyone who wants more information
can call our helpline or log onto our website.
“With regards to enforcement, we will be
targeting our routine checks where we can
have the greatest impact. We will continue
to come down hard on anyone that knowingly
flouts the rules.”
Useful information relating to the new rules
and details on how to register can be found
on the Environment Agency website (see link).
