Pre Treatment
From 30th October 2007, under new European-wide legislation, all non-hazardous waste must be treated before it can be landfilled and the Environment Agency is placing the responsibility for compliance on waste producers. These regulations are the final stages of the European Landfill Directive and are being implemented to reduce our reliance on landfill as a disposal option and to ensure that landfill has less impact on the environment.
At Weir Waste we view most waste streams as a resource and are committed to material recovery and recycling via our materials recycling facility.
The regulations define treatment as:
Physical, thermal, chemical or biological processes (including sorting) that change the characteristics of waste in order to reduce its volume or hazardous nature, facilitate its handling or enhance recovery.
In effect, the ‘process’ of treatment may be as simple as sorting out recyclables – such as paper, plastics, metal or glass.
As a waste producer you will need to decide whether to ‘pre-treat’ your waste at source or to have it treated by your waste management company.
If you choose to treat your waste at source, to fulfil your obligations under these regulations you will need to satisfy your waste management company and/or landfill operator that:
1. All of the waste has been pre-treated AND
2. The treatment has changed the characteristics of the waste to:
- Reduce the waste’s volume, or
- Reduce its hazardous nature, or
- Make waste handling easier or
- Enhance its recovery potential.
This evidence will form an important part of your Duty Of Care. Failure to comply may result in enforcement action, including prosecution by the Environment Agency.
Under the legislation, landfill operators must ensure that waste has been treated and they have a duty to reject any material if this is not proven. If in doubt the landfill operator will presume the waste has not been treated.
Weir Waste can help you ensure that you are fully compliant with the law. Our experienced waste management sales team can assist you to audit your waste and help you select the most effective treatment or disposal option based on the amount and types of waste that you generate.
All waste that is not pre treated is taken to our own Materials Recycling Facility. The plant and equipment installed at this facility ensure that any recyclable waste streams are removed from untreated waste prior to disposal.