Monday 23 May 2011 Over the coming months, Environment Agency Officers will be visiting companies in certain sectors of industry across Staffordshire and Wolverhampton in a bid to clamp down on the illegal disposal of hazardous waste.
Companies who produce 500kg or more hazardous waste per annum are usually required to register with the Environment Agency, in accordance with the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005. Registration can be made online at a cost of £18 for a 12 month period. Statutory documents called consignment notes also have to be completed correctly and kept for at least three years.
Environment Agency visits will focus on hazardous waste compliance, but will also include checks on the storage of polluting materials, duty of care, and waste management practices.
The campaign will target the sectors of industry that, from experience, would benefit from our advice and guidance in order to comply. The Environment Agency can take enforcement action against those who don’t comply, including issuing Fixed Penalty Notices which is currently set at £300.
Chris Withnell, Environment Management Team Leader said: “Businesses need to take responsibility to ensure that their waste is managed correctly from production to disposal. Whilst we will support industry in achieving this, we will not hesitate to take action against those who continue to flout the rules.”
