IT'S JUST OVER 12 months since new legislation was introduced to control how commercial waste is disposed of and many businesses and other organisations are still unsure of the requirements and have opted to hire waste management companies instead of introducing simple recycling procedures according to workplace equipment provider Slingsby.
As part of the requirements non-hazardous waste must be treated before it is sent to landfill. The rules are part of the EU's Landfill Directive and fall under the Landfill Directive (England and Wales) Regulations 2002, which businesses and other organisations had to fully implement in July 2009.
Lee Wright, Marketing Director of Slingsby which supplies an extensive range of recycling equipment within its 35,000 product range, explains: "Any organisation that sends waste to landfill is affected by this Directive, which was introduced to challenge waste producers to think about how they dispose of waste. However many businesses can meet the requirements easily and cost effectively in-house.
"There are many ways that organisations can 'treat' waste but one of the easiest systems is to introduce 'at source segregation' where different types of wastes are separated at the place where they are produced. Recycling then becomes straightforward and in turn it reduces the amount that is sent to landfill."
Lee adds: "The other main requirement is that a 'Waste Transfer Note' is produced which is a written record detailing where the waste has come from and a brief description of it.
This must be filed for two years and the main purpose is to show landfill operators what they are dealing with so they can manage it safely and legally. It also provides a clear audit trail from when the waste is produced until it is disposed of." Slingsby supplies a vast range of recycling products.