Help For Builders Facing New Waste Challenge

A Crowley product story

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Aug 6, 2004

Builders facing new waste disposal challenges as a result of EU Landfill Regulations affecting the management of hazardous waste can access free guidance at www.netregs.gov.uk.

The NetRegs website was developed by the UK's environmental regulators to help small businesses understand their environmental obligations and contains user-friendly guidelines for the construction industry.

The Landfill Regulations extend the list of substances classed as hazardous waste, while dramatically reducing the number of landfill sites permitted to accept hazardous waste - from 250 sites to as few as 10.

However, some landfills classified as non hazardous may be able to take certain stable non reactive waste such as asbestos if they have appropriately engineered separate cells on site.

For construction businesses, which produce a significant proportion of the UK's hazardous waste, these changes are likely to mean increasing waste disposal costs and problems for some in finding authorised companies willing to take their waste.

NetRegs has information for construction businesses on their responsibilities under the Duty of Care regulations, which require them to ensure that the waste they produce is safely and properly disposed of, even after they have passed it on to a third party such as a waste contractor.

The website also offers advice on ways in which builders can reduce hazardous waste, such as substituting hazardous substances with non hazardous substances and keeping hazardous waste separate from non hazardous waste.

Visitors to the site can also access information on forthcoming legislation and a wide range of good practice information that can help firms save money and become more competitive.

Richard Martin, NetRegs Programme Manager said, "With the changes to the management of hazardous waste, it is crucial that construction firms fully understand their environmental obligations.

NetRegs provides guidance to help smaller businesses comply with the environmental legislation affecting their particular activities, as well as good practice advice that can help reduce costs.

Visit www.netregs.gov.uk for more information.