Firms not ready for waste disposal laws
September 17, 2007
Accountancy firm Grant Thornton has raised concerns that UK businesses are unprepared for new waste regulations that will affect all firms.
The Landfill Regulations 2002 (England and Wales), which form part of the EU Landfill Directive, take effect on 30 October. The new laws require every business, or its certified waste contractor, to treat their non-hazardous waste before sending it to landfill.
"It feels like every man and his dog has been making noises about becoming greener during the past 12 months, but here we have a major piece of legislation coming into force that supports this, and it is virtually ignored," said Grant Thornton’s waste specialist director, Nigel Mattravers.
"Every business in the country, including high street retailers, offices and country pubs will have to produce their own reports on how they have treated their waste in accordance with the Environment Agency’s guidelines," he added.
According to the regulations, the waste treatment process must ‘change the characteristics of the waste in order to reduce its volume, facilitate its handling or enhance its recovery’. For example, treatment can simply be separating the waste on site, and recycling one or more of the separated components.
Before waste is sent to landfill, business will be required to give landfill operators a written declaration confirming that treatment has taken place.
"The new laws have been poorly publicised," said Federation of Small Businesses spokesman Simon Briault. "The Government needs to ensure all businesses are aware of their new obligations. It must also introduce some leeway so firms have time to adjust to the new requirements before it is rigorously enforced."
Responding to the criticism, Environment Agency spokesman Farooq Mulla said: "It has been well publicised, we’ve produced detailed guidance for businesses and sector-specific fact sheets on it.
"If businesses produce waste, now is a good time to review how they manage their waste, including whether it needs to be produced at all," he continued. "If their waste does go to landfill, they should check to see if it has already been treated. If it hasn’t they will need to treat it or ensure that their waste management company does this for them.
"A lot of waste that is currently land-filled is already treated beforehand and complies with the law," added Farooq.
According to the EA, firms that do not comply could face financial penalties, but businesses will be given time to adjust their procedures and comply with the new laws.
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