There is a common misconception that waste batteries can be disposed of via household tips. The Compliance People Consultant Katie Pritchard advises how organisations can dispose of waste batteries safely and in compliance with the law.
Controlled waste
Waste produced by organisations, including waste batteries, is classed as controlled waste* and in England and Wales is regulated under:
- The Waste (England & Wales) Regulations 2011; and
- The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005.
*Controlled waste is household, industrial or commercial waste that is subject to legislative requirements.
Organisations have a duty of care to ensure that their waste is disposed of in a way that does not harm the environment or human health.
Duty of care
Organisations must:
- ensure that waste is taken to an authorised waste facility*;
- ensure that the waste facility is authorised to receive your waste;
- ensure that waste is collected by a registered waste carrier**;
- obtain appropriate waste documentation in the form of waste transfer notes or waste consignment notes; and
- keep records of waste documentation.
*An authorised waste facility is a facility that is authorised to receive waste.
**A waste carrier is a person or organisation that transports waste.
Disposing of waste batteries
Waste duty of care extends to batteries.
Organisations must:
- segregate waste batteries;
- store batteries in clearly labelled containers;
- ensure waste batteries are collected by a registered waste carrier; and
- ensure the batteries are taken to an authorised waste facility.
In summary
Organisations must not dispose of batteries via household tips. Batteries must be collected by a registered waste carrier and taken to an authorised waste facility.
For more information on waste duty of care, have a look at our waste duty of care training.
If you need more help, why not get in touch with us? - Our professional team of consultants offer independent, periodic compliance evaluations and support for both environment and health & safety.
