Recycling Legislation

All businesses in this country have a statutory duty of care to dispose of hazardous waste safely and properly. This means that they must send such waste to a recognised processing facility, and they must have the correct documentation to prove they have done so.

Environmental Protection Act 1990

A failure to comply with the statutory duty of care is a criminal offence. The penalty on summary conviction is a fine up to £5,000. The penalty on conviction in a Crown Court is an unlimited fine.

Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005

Spent fluorescent tubes, High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps and other mercury-bearing lamps are now classified as hazardous waste and must be disposed of in accordance with the Hazardous Waste Regulations. Other mercury waste is also hazardous waste subject to the same regime.

A failure to comply with the Hazardous Waste Regulations is a criminal offence. The penalty on summary conviction is a fine up to £5,000. The penalty on conviction in a Crown Court is an unlimited fine and/or up to two years’ imprisonment.

Important – Your Peace of Mind

If you are at all unsure of your compliance responsibilities please e-mail or telephone us and we will be only to pleased to assist.