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Waste definitions

The legal definition of waste can be found in section 75(2) of theEnvironmental Protection Act 1990, but for these purposes waste is anythingwhich you decide to, or are required to, dispose of. This includes items that

can be given to someone else or recycled.

Waste is classified by where it originates from and the properties it contains.There are a number of complicated legal definitions, but the generalframework is as follows.

o  Clinical Waste

Clinical waste is divided into a number of differing categories, and isconsidered in greater detail later on is this manual but is defined as:

o  any waste consisting wholly or partly of human or animal tissue,blood or other body fluids, excretions, drugs or pharmaceuticalproducts, swabs or dressings, syringes, needles or other sharpinstruments, being waste which unless rendered safe may provehazardous to any person coming into contact with it; and

o  any waste arising from medical, nursing, dental, veterinary,pharmaceutical or similar practices, investigation, treatment, care,teaching or research, or the collection of blood for transfusion,being waste which may cause infection to any person coming intocontact with it.

o  Controlled Waste

Controlled waste is defined in the Environment Protection Act 1990 and theControlled Waste Regulations 1992 as household, industrial and commercialwaste or any such wastes that require a waste management  licence fortreatment, transfer or disposal.

o  Commercial Waste (Non-municipal)

Waste arising from premises that are used wholly or mainly for trade,business, sport, recreation or entertainment, excluding household andindustrial waste (as defined in Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section75).

o  Household Waste (Municipal)

Waste from domestic properties including waste from caravans, residentialhomes and premises forming part of an educational establishment and part ofa hospital or nursing home.

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o  Industrial Waste (Non-municipal)

Waste from a factory (within the meaning of the Factories Act 1961) or fromany premises used for, or in connection with provision of public transport;public supply of gas, water, electricity or sewerage services; or provision to

the public of postal or communication services.

o  Inert Waste

Waste that does not undergo any significant physical, chemical or biologicaltransformations' as defined by the EU Landfill Directive (99/31/EEC).

o  Municipal Waste

This is waste collected on behalf of the local authority. It comprises mostlyhousehold waste but may include some commercial and industrial.

o  Non-municipal Waste

Non-municipal waste falls into two distinct categories: commercial andindustrial. These are explained in detail above. They are not usually collectedas part of the local authority’s responsibility.

o  Packaging Waste

Comprises waste arising from "all products made of any materials of anynature to be used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery andpresentation of goods, from raw materials to processed goods, from theproducer to the user or the consumer" as defined in Directive 94/62/EC onPackaging and Packaging Waste.

o  Special Waste

This is classified as controlled waste because of its properties, but requiresspecialist handling.

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Waste categorisation and identification

Waste is categorised according to the properties it contains. Under the Duty ofCare waste producers have a duty to classify and describe their wastecorrectly; this includes selecting the most appropriate code from the European

Waste Catalogue (EWC) 2002. Wastes in the catalogue are listed accordingto a six-digit code.

The table below indicates the main headings within the EWC under whichthere are numerous sub-headings. Further information on the EWC can befound at www.sepa.org.uk/guidance/waste/hazardous/index.htm.

Table 1 European Waste Catalogue Categories and Codes

EWC

Code

EWC Category

01Wastes resulting from exploration, mining, quarrying and physicaland chemical treatment of minerals

02Wastes from agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, forestry, huntingand fishing, food preparation and processing

03Wastes from wood processing and the production of panels andfurniture, pulp, paper and cardboard

04 Wastes from the leather, fur and textile industries

05Wastes from petroleum refining, natural gas purification and pyrolytictreatment of coal

06 Wastes from inorganic chemical processes

07 Wastes from organic chemical processes

08Wastes from manufacture, formulation, supply and use of coatings,adhesives, sealants and printing inks

09 Wastes from the photographic industry10 Wastes from thermal processes

11Wastes from chemical surface treatment and coating of metals andother materials, non-ferrous hydro-metallurgy

12Wastes from shaping and physical and mechanical surface treatmentof metals and plastics

13 Oil wastes and waste of liquid fuels14 Waste organic solvents, refrigerants and propellants

15Waste packaging, absorbents, wiping cloths, filter materials andprotective clothing not otherwise specified

16 Wastes not otherwise specified in the list17 Construction and demolition wastes18 Wastes from human and animal health care and / or related research

19Wastes from waste management facilities, off-site waste watertreatment plants and the preparation of water

20 Municipal wastes including separately collected fractions

Of particular importance are the 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 EWC codes.

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Main categories and potential sources of waste

This table has been based upon an original produced by the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges, as part of their Practical Guide toWaste Management.

Category of waste Waste example Main potential source Aluminium cans C, R, VBooks L, OCardboard C, CPS, R, La, O, R, S, SAComputers L, La, OConfidential paper L, O, RCooking oil C, RDemolition EEnvelopes L, O, RFood C, O, R, SFurniture Lt, OGlass bottles and jars C, La, R

Grass cuttings / plant material EMagazines L, La, O, R, S, VNewspapers L, La, O, R, S, VPaper C, CPS, E, L, La, Lt, O, S, SAPlastic bottles C, R, S, VPlastic packaging C, CPS, E, L, La, O, S, VPrinter consumables CPS, E, La, O, SAProspectuses / brochures O, SA

Household

Wood E Animal waste E, LaBody fluids E, LaDressings LaPersonal hygiene E, La

Clinical

Sharps LaChemicals CPS, E, LaEngine oil EFluorescent tubes ELaboratory waste LaOrganic waste solvents CPS, E, LaPaint E, SAPesticides E

Special

Photographic materials CPS, LaIsotopes La

Laboratory waste La

Lightning conductors E

Smoke detectors E

Radioactive

X-ray equipment La

C – Catering CPS – Central Printing ServicesE – Estates L – LibraryLa – Laboratory Lt – Lecture theatre / class roomsO – Offices R – ResidencesS – Shops SA – Student AssociationV – Vending areas