Hazardous Waste

HC Deb 23 July 2004 vol 424 cc812-9W

Sue Doughty

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what Environment Agency(a) procedures and (b) resources will be used to ensure that all hazardous waste producers, including those producing small and sporadic quantities of hazardous waste are (i) made aware of and (ii) comply with the requirement to register as a hazardous waste producer. [185011]

Mr. Morley

We expect to go out to consultation on the new hazardous waste regulations, including the proposed requirement for hazardous waste producers to notify their premises to their Environment Agency, later this month. The Environment Agency will consider during the consultation period both how to make producers aware of their obligations and how to ensure compliance.

Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2004,Official Report, column 1258W, on hazardous waste, when she expects the landfill sites which have applied for a licence to accept hazardous waste to be judged as fit for that purpose and have their licences granted. [185611]

Mr. Morley

Tables 1, 2 and 3 as follows show sites whose operators have applied for permits to be merchant dedicated hazardous waste landfill sites (which would receive hazardous waste on a commercial basis) or in-house dedicated hazardous waste landfill sites (which are used to dispose of waste from their own operations such as factory process waste).

These tables are drawn from information used to provide that published on the Environment Agency website (www.environment-agency.gov.uk). Also included is information about when the application is likely to be determined, where this is known. For some sites, the determination date is not yet known.

Table 1: Sites whose operators have applied for permits to be merchant landfills for hazardous waste
Site name	Operator	Location	EA region	Range of hazardous wastes applied for	Proposed Input (000 Te/Yr)	Permitting progress
1. Purton Brickworks	Hills Minerals and Waste Ltd.	Swindon, Wilts.	Thames	Range includes contaminated soils, filter cakes, packaging	59	Permit issued
2. Port Clarence	Zero waste	Teesside, N. Yorks	North East	Wide range	100	Permit issued
3. Southwood Landfill	Southwood Waste Mgt.	Shepton Mallett, Somerset	South West	Asbestos only. Quantity is same as current WML	22	Permit issued
4. Pinden Quarry	Pinden Plant	Dartford, Kent	Southern	Asbestos only. Quantity is same as current WML	26	Permit issued
5. Slipe Clay cliffe. King's Cliffe	Atlantic Waste Services	King's Cliffe	Anglian	Wide range of wastes	249	Permit issued-but
6. Eardswick Hall	Brock plc	Crewe, Cheshire	North West	Contaminated soils	75	Permit likely to be determined by end August 2004
7. Whitemoss	J. Routledge and Sons	Skelmersdale, Lanes.	North West	Range of hazardous waste although mainly contaminated soils	150	Permit likely to be determined by end August 2004
8. ICI no. 3	Impetus Waste Mgt.	Teesside, N. Yorks	North East	Wide Range of hazardous wastes	25	Permit likely to be determined by end July 2004
9. Randle Landfill	Ineos Chlor. Ltd.	Runcorn, Cheshire	North West	Treated hazardous wastes arising from the chemical manufacturing process	150	Permit likely to be determined by end August 2004
10. Winterton South	Integrated Waste Mgt. Ltd.	Winterton, North Lines	Anglian	Wide range	250	Permit issued
11. Meece 2	Biffa	Stone, Staffs.	Midlands	Limited range of "Chapter 19" Hazardous wastes: 19 01 05 19 01 07, 19 01 10, 19 01 13,>br>19 01 15	50	Permit likely to be determined by end October 2004
12. Warboys	Fenside Waste Mgt.	Huntingdon, Cambs	Anglian	Wide range but slightly narrower range and lower quanitites than existing WML allows	100	Pending—planning refused so unable to progress
13. Wingmoor Farm	Grundon	Cheltenham, Glos.	Midlands	Wide range	120 haz. and 30 inert cover	Permit likely to be determined by end July 2004
14. Thornhill Quarry	Demex Ltd.	Dewsbury, West Yorkshire	North East	Asbestos fibres only	5,000 per year (total 120, 000)	Application refused
15. VHE Construction	VHE Construction	Rotherham, S. Yorkshire	North East	Hazardous but mainly contaminated soil no asbestos	Only 50,000T remaining then full	Application refused
16. Rushton	CSG Ltd.	Kettering Northants.	Anglian	Full range of haz.	15	Application refused

Table 2:New Sites whose operators have applied for permits to be merchant landfills for hazardous waste
Site name	Operator	Location	EA region	Range of hazardous wastes	Proposed Input (000 Te/Yr)	Permitting progress
17. Winsford Rock Salt Mine	Minosus	Winsford, Cheshire	North West	Range of inorganic, non- flammable waste currently in negotiation with agency over detail of waste types	100	Dependent on resolution of planning issues and range of waste to be accepted
18. Lillyhall Phase 4	Alco Waste Management	Distington, Cumbria	North West	Wide range	35 per year plus 15 inert for cover	Pending— application received recently

Table 3: Sites whose operators have applied for permits to be in-house landfills for hazardous waste
Site name	Operator	Location	EA region	Range of wastes	Proposed Input (000 Te/Yr)	Permitting progress
1. Grange Top Quarry	Castle Cement	Ketton, nr. Stamford	Anglian	Haz. (CKD) only	5	Permit issued
2. Royal Ordnance Landfill	BAE Systems	Chorley, Lancs.	North West	Contaminated land and other hazardous waste including asbestos	10	Permit issued
3. Bradley Park Landfill	Syngenta	Huddersfield, West Yorkshire	North East	Wide range of wastes	350	Refused
4. Southam	Rugby Cement	Southam, Warks.	Midlands	CKD and on site road sweepings	24.9	Determination pending
5. Alcan Pot Linings	Alcan Aluminium	Newbiggin, Northumberland	North East	Spent pot linings	14.4	Determination pending
6. Coplow Quarry	Castle Cement	Clitheroe, Lancashire	North West	CKD	20	Determination pending

Please note that the tables also include some sites whose applications have been refused.

Table 3: Sites whose operators have applied for permits to be in-house landfills for hazardous waste
Site name	Operator	Location	EA region	Range of wastes	Proposed Input (000 Te/Yr)	Permitting progress
7. National security request	National security request	National security request	National security request	Unable to respond due to unresolved claim for national security	—	Unknown— outstanding national security request
8. National security request	National security request	National security request	National security request	Unable to respond due to unresolved claim for national security	—	Unknown— outstanding national security request
9. Morfa	Corus	South Wales	Wales	Wide range	100	Permit likely to be determined by end August 2004
10. Tripcock Point	Tilfen Land Ltd.	Thamesmead, London	Thames	Mainly contaminated soils	100	Pending—Tranche 3 app. received recently
11. Minworth Landfill	Severn Trent Water	Minworth, Sutton Coldfield	Midlands	Incinerator ash from incineration of digested sewage sludge	27	Permit likely to be determined by end September 2004
12. Rugby Works	Rugby Cement	Rugby, Warks.	Midlands	CKD and on site road sweepings and soils from excavation on site	24.9	Permit refused

Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2004,Official Report, columns 1188–89W, on hazardous waste, what the annual capacity in tonnes of hazardous waste is of each site listed in Tables 2 and 3. [185988]

Table 1: Sites whose operators have applied for permits to be Merchant landfills for Hazardous waste
Site name	Operator	Location	EA region	Range of hazardous wastes applied for	Proposed input (000 Te/Yr)	Permitting progress
1. Purton Brickworks	Hills Minerals and Waste Ltd.	Swindon, Wilts	Thames	Range includes contaminated soils, filter cakes, packaging	59	Permit Issued
2. Port Clarence	Zero Waste	Teeside, N.Yorks	North East	Wide Range	100	Permit Issued
3. Southwood Landfill	Southwood Waste Mgt.	Shepton Mallett, Somerset	South West	Asbestos only. Quantity is same as current WML	22	Permit Issued
4. Pinden Quarry	Pinden Plant	Dartford, Kent	Southern	Asbestos only. Quantity is same as current WML	26	Permit Issued
5. Slipe Clay Cliffe, King's Cliffe	Atlantic Waste Services	King's Cliffe	Anglian	Wide range of wastes	249	Permit Issued—but site not operational
6. Eardswick Hall	Brock Plc	Crewe, Cheshire	North West	Contaminated soils	75	Permit likely to be determined by end August 2004
7. Whitemoss	J. Routledge and Sons	Skelmersdale, Lanes.	North West	Range of haz waste although mainly contaminated soils	150	Permit likely to be determined by end August 2004
8. ICI no. 3	Impetus Waste Mgt	Teeside, N.Yorks	North East	Wide Range of haz wastes	25	Permit likely to be determined by end July 2004
9. Randle Landfill	Ineos Chlor Ltd.	Runcorn, Cheshire	North West	Treated haz wastes arising from the chemical manufacturing process	150	Permit likely to be determined by end August 2004
10. Winterton South	Integrated Waste Mgt Ltd.	Winterton, North Lines.	Anglian	Wide Range	250	Permit Issued
11. Meece 2	Biffa	Stone, Staffs.	Midlands	Limited range of 'Chapter 19' Haz wastes: 19 01 05*. 19 01 07*, 19 01 10*, 19 01 15*	50	Permit likely to be determined by end October 2004
12. Warboys	Fenside Waste Mgt	Huntingdon, Cambs.	Anglian	Wide range but slightly narrower range and lower quantities than existing WML allows	100	Pending—planning refused so unable to progress
13. Wingmoor Farm	Grundon	Cheltenham, Glos.	Midlands	Wide range	120 haz and 30 inert cover	Permit likely to be determined by end July 2004
14. Thornhill Quarry	Demex Ltd.	Dewsbury, West Yorkshire	North East	Asbestos fibres only	5,000 per year (total 120,000)	Application refused
15. VHE Construction	VHE Constntction	Rotherham, S. Yorkshire	North East	Hazardous but mainly Contaminated soil no asbestos	only 50,000T remaining then full	Application refused
16. Rushton	CSG Ltd.	Kettering Northants	Anglian	Full range of haz	15	Application refused

Mr. Morley

The annual capacity in tonnes of hazardous waste of each site in the tables referred to is set out in the following tables, and are correct as of 22 July. It is important to note that the figures show capacity applied for in each individual PPC permit and not necessarily capacity available when and if permits are issued.

Table 2: New Sites whose operators have applied for permits to be Merchant landfills for Hazardous waste
Site name	Operator	Location	EA region	Range of hazardous wastes	Proposed input (000 Te/Yr)	Permitting progress
17. Winsford Rock Salt Mine	Minosus	Winsford, Cheshire	North West	Range of inorganic, non- flammable waste currently in negotiation with Agency over detail of waste types	100	Dependent on resolution of planning issues and range of waste to be accepted
18. Lillyhall Phase 4	Alco Waste Management	Distington, Cumbria	North West	Wide range	35 per year plus 15 inert for cover	Pending— application received recently

Table 3: Sites whose operators have applied for permits to be In-house landfills for Hazardous waste
Site name	Operator	Location	EA region	Range of wastes	Proposed input (000 Te/Yr)	Permitting progress
1. Grange Top Quarry	Castle Cement	Ketton, Nr Stamford	Anglian	Haz (CKD) only	5	Permit issued
2. Royal Ordnance Landfill	BAE Systems	Chorley, Lanes	North West	Contaminated land and otter haz waste including asbestos	10	Permit issued
3. Bradley Park Landfill	Syngenta	Huddersfield, West Yorkshire	North East	Wide range of wastes	350	Refused
4. Southam	Rugby Cement	Southam, Warks	Midlands	CKD and on site roadsweepings	24.9	Determination pending
5. Alcan Pot Linings	Alcan Aluminium	Slewbiggin, Northumberland	North East	Spent pot linings	14.4	Determination pending
6. Coplow Quarry	Castle Cement	Clitheroe, Lancashire	North West	CKD	20	Determination pending
7. National security request	National security request	National seurity request	National seurity request	Unable to respond due to unresolved claim for national security	—	Unknown— outstanding national security request
8. National security request	National security request	National seurity request	National seurity request	Unable to respond due to unresolved claim for national security	—	Unknown— outstanding national security request
9. Morfa	Corns	South Wales	Wales	Wide range	100	Permit likely to be determined by 20 04
10. Tripcock Point	Tilfen Land Ltd.	Thamesmead, London	Thames	Mainly cont soils	100	Pending—Tranche 3 app received recently
11. Minworth Landfill	Severn Trent Water	Minworth, Sutton Coldfield	Midlands	Incinerator ash from incineration of digested sewage sludge	27	Permit likely to be determined by end September 2004
12. Rugby Works	Rugby Cement	Rugby, Warks	Midlands	CKD and on site roadsweepings and soils from excavation on site	24.9	Permit refused

Mr. Hammond

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the new hazardous waste regulations will make it an offence for householders to dispose of(a) fluorescent light tubes and (b) used batteries in domestic refuse. [186120]

Mr. Morley

It is not proposed that the Hazardous Waste Regulations, to be implemented in 2005, should make it an offence for householders to dispose of such items in the municipal waste stream. Mixed domestic waste containing small amounts of hazardous wastes such as fluorescent tubes and used batteries will continue to be dealt with as non-hazardous municipal waste.

Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether(a) used disposable nappies, (b) used continence pads and (c) cat litter and other animal wastes are classified as hazardous waste; what guidance her Department has issued to waste collection authorities on this matter; and if she will make a statement. [186156]

Mr. Morley

For a waste to be classified as "hazardous", it must normally be listed as such in the European Waste Catalogue. Nappies, incontinence pads and cat litter are not listed as hazardous. It is open to Member States to determine that other wastes are hazardous where these display one or more of the hazardous properties specified in the Hazardous Waste Directive at above the thresholds the Directive specifies. Waste such as used disposable nappies and incontinence pads would be considered under property H9 (infectious). However, to be considered hazardous there would need to be a high risk that infectious substances were present in the waste at a concentration above that naturally encountered. Since the source population for household waste is healthy, the risk of infection is very low and nappies and incontinence pads do not therefore meet the criteria necessary for a "hazardous" classification. Where an individual is being treated by a health professional in their own home, it is for the health professional to make a clinical decision on whether or not the nature of the patient's illness would render the patient's hygiene waste infectious.

Small amounts of animal waste arising in households, such as cat litter, can be placed in the bin, if suitably wrapped, and dealt with as municipal household waste.

Defra is working with stakeholders to issue guidance for local authorities on dealing with hazardous household waste which will be issued prior to new hazardous waste regulations coming into force in July 2005.

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate her Department has made of the amount of hazardous waste that will be stock-piled per month in the six month period following 16 July owing to the short-term shortfall of disposal capacity. [183394]

Margaret Beckett

[holding answer 12 July 2004]: No such estimate has been made. Our aim is to ensure as smooth a transition as possible of the implementation of the Landfill Directive and to avoid the need for storage of hazardous waste over and above that which normally occurs at the site of production or at waste transfer stations.

Alternatives to disposal via landfill, such as high temperature incineration and use as a fuel, remain unchanged. There are also a number of alternatives to disposal such as minimisation, recycling and treatment to render the waste non-hazardous.

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to increase the(a) re-use and (b) recycling of hazardous waste. [183395]

Margaret Beckett

[holding answer 12 July 2004]: In the main hazardous waste originates from the business sector and it is generally in their economic interest to reduce, reuse and recycle their hazardous waste.

However, Defra has taken some specific steps to assist business increase the re-use and recycling of hazardous waste. These include support for: Envirowise, which supports small to medium sized businesses in the management of their waste, provide free consultations, waste audits, and sector specific guidance. Waste Implementation Programme (WIP) which is looking at how research and development technologies could assist the recycling and recovery of waste, including hazardous waste. Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is developing markets for recycled materials and products across the board.

In addition, implementation of the Landfill Directive and rises in landfill tax will encourage business to look further at their management of hazardous waste.

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what she expects her Department to publish the criteria for the treatment of toxic waste. [183396]

Margaret Beckett

[holding answer 12 July 2004]: The criteria for stabilised non-reactive granular hazardous waste and for granular hazardous waste and are set out in Part 3, Paragraphs 14 and 17 of Schedule 1 of the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 as amended by the Landfill (England and Wales)(Amendment) Regulations 2004. Equivalent criteria for monolithic wastes are being developed and will shortly be issued for consultation.