HL Deb 22 July 2004 vol 664 cc72-3WA
Lord Rotherwick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How and where they dispose of hazardous waste resulting from their own operations, in particular waste originating from Ministry of Defence operations. [HL3780]

Lord Bach

Hazardous or "special waste" emanating from the Ministry of Defence is only disposed of at licensed waste disposal facilities that hold an appropriate waste management licence or IPPC permit using disposal contractors registered with the various UK environment agencies.

Under the current procedure for the disposal of special waste, the environment agencies located closest to the disposal site receive written confirmation of the safe deposit of this waste; the producer is not included in this loop. This will hopefully change when the new Hazardous Waste Regulations 2004 are enacted into UK legislation.

Lord Rotherwick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether disposal of hazardous waste resulting from their own operations, particularly Ministry of Defence operations, will change from 16 July. [HL3781]

Lord Bach

From 16 July onwards, the department will continue to dispose of its hazardous waste in accordance with the requirements outlined in the relevant United Kingdom environmental legislation and with Directive 99/31/EC on the landfill of waste.