Common Definitions
Waste: Anything which you decide to, or are required to, throw away.
Hazardous waste: Waste is generally considered hazardous if it (or the material or substances it contains) are harmful to humans or the environment. Examples of hazardous waste include:
- asbestos;
- chemicals, such as brake fluid or print toner;
- batteries;
- solvents;
- pesticides;
- oils (except edible ones), such as car oil;
- equipment containing ozone depleting substances, like fridges; and
- hazardous waste containers.
Waste transfer note: A waste transfer note (WTN) is a legally required document which must be completed for all transfers of non-hazardous waste to another party. The format of a WTN must conform to the requirements laid out in Part 9 of The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011.
Consignment note:A consignment note, or hazardous waste consignment note (HWCN) is a legally required document that details the transfer of hazardous waste from one party to another. The note must be prepared before any hazardous waste is moved and is required for all movements of hazardous waste. The format of a HWCN must meet the requirements set out in Schedule 1 of The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2016.
Producer: Any person whose activities produce waste.
Holder: The waste producer or the legal person in possession of the waste.
Carrier: A person who collects or carries waste. A carrier must be registered with the Environment Agency in England or Natural Resources Wales in Wales.
Dealer: Any person that buys waste with the aim of subsequently selling it (including where they don’t take physical possession of the waste).
Broker: Any person that arranges waste transportation and / or the management of waste on behalf of another party, e.g. local authorities contracting out waste services to another firm.
Transferor: The current holder of the waste.
Transferee: The person receiving the waste.
Consignee: A person who receives hazardous waste to recover or dispose of it. The consignee must have an appropriate environmental permit or waste exemption in place in order to accept the waste.
Consignor: A person who causes the waste to be removed; this can be the producer, the holder or an agent acting with authority from the producer or holder of the hazardous waste.