§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulations govern the collection and environmentally safe disposal of(a) nicad rechargeable batteries, (b) fluorescent light bulbs and strip lights and (c) oil-based surplus paints and white spirit from (i) households and (ii) industrial and commercial premises. [9575]
§ Mr. ClappisonWaste from household, industrial and commercial premises must be managed and disposed of in accordance with sections 33 and 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Although it will depend on the product and the use to which it has been put, most surplus oil-based paints and white spirits from industrial and commercial premises will be subject to additional controls set out in the Special Waste Regulations 1996. Waste nickel cadmium—Ni-Cd—rechargeable batteries from industrial and commercial premises are also subject to these regulations, under which all movements of "special waste" are tracked by a system of consignment notes to ensure that they reach an appropriate waste management facility. Waste fluorescent tubes from industrial and commercial premises are not special waste, but their movements are subject to the requirements of the duty of care under section 34 of the 1990 Act. The waste management licensing system is also designed to ensure that the recovery or disposal of controlled546W wastes—including fluorescent tubes—is carried out in a manner that does not harm human health or cause environmental damage. Under section 45 of the 1990 Act, responsibility for the collection of all these wastes from household premises lies with local authorities.
Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries are also covered by the EC batteries directive—(91/157)—which requires them to be marked with a separate collection symbol for the purposes of recycling or controlled disposal. The battery and electrical appliance industries have set up a working group which has formulated a strategy aimed at increasing the number Ni-Cd batteries being collected and recycled.