The Haz Guide

The Hazardous Waste Regulations (and business waste)

Storage and segregation options

Option 1: Fully contained storage compound

In this option hazardous waste is segregated into various containers within a self-contained storage area. This option is not currently employed at any HWRC in the UK.

This option may be suitable for sites where there is a large area available and the total quantities of hazardous chemicals to be stored are high (e.g. when used to store fly-tipped chemicals picked up by the council and/or chemical waste from commercial collections, as well as waste deposited at the site by members of the public). It would be advisable for such a site to be situated in a location with good transport links and no neighbouring residential properties. Given the permanent nature of the structures envisaged, this option would require planning permission.

Waste should be segregated into categories following Health and Safety Executive guidance (Health and Safety Executive 2003, Chemical Warehousing: The storage of packaged dangerous substances HSG71 HSE Books). These categories are:

flammable liquids and solids, including fuels, paints, thinners and other solvents.
compressed gases: Storage area to be further separated into flammable gases (most likely propane/butane cylinders and aerosols) and compressed gases (such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen and fire extinguishers). Consideration may need to be given to “exotic” cylinders containing corrosive or oxidising gases.
toxic materials: Garden chemicals and pesticides that do not present any hazard other than being toxic, harmful or ecotoxic.
miscellaneous: remaining hazardous chemicals acceptable on the site, to be further split into different areas for acids, oxidisers, bleaches, etc.

In this model, it is assumed that all containers are of the same size. However, container size could be varied to account for different expected volumes of waste arisings.
Containers should be weatherproof, lockable and have an internal collection tray (bund) at least big enough to hold 110% of the volume of the largest container. The whole storage area would also be fully bunded as an additional protection in the event of any spillages from the containers or overflow of internal bunds.

Separation distances between containers would be established by reference to appropriate HSE and other guidance (e.g. flammable materials container to be separated from other materials by three metres).

Fencing would surround the area with lockable double gates at the front. This would prevent unauthorised access outside site opening hours and would give protection from vehicle movements.

Option 2: Adapted shipping container

This option is a steel shipping container (6-12m long x 3m wide x 2.5m high) that is adapted for the purpose.

This option would be suitable for sites dealing with relatively large volumes of chemicals or where the expense or area of land required by Option 1 would be problematic. Although the container would provide protection from vehicle impacts, it would be unlikely to require planning permission.

The adaptations would include:

a lockable door
gridded floor over integral bund to hold at least 27.5 litres
safe lighting
steel firewalls fitted between each hazard category of waste
suitable shelving or racking for the storage of materials
suitable ventilation to prevent build up of vapour.

Option 3: Lockable HHW storage container(s)

In this option chemicals are stored in two separate storage containers, one containing flammable materials and the other containing all other chemicals.

This system is suitable for sites with relatively restricted availability of space that are only used for temporary storage of chemicals that have been deposited at the HWRC by members of the public.

Both the flammables and general chemicals containers should be:

shelved, in order to provide adequate space for upright storage of containers
kept locked at all times
internally bunded
placed in an area well away from vehicle movements
marked with appropriate CHIP symbol
provided with absorbent materials in case of spillages
provided with appropriate screw-top UN standard containers for storage of materials that are deposited at the site in fragile or leaky containers.

An alternative option is that used by Hampshire County Council on HWRCs in the county that are permitted for acceptance of hazardous wastes. All chemicals are stored in a single container that has an internal wall and can be accessed from doors on both sides – flammable materials are stored in one side of the container and other chemicals are stored in the other side. The containers used on the Hampshire sites were manufactured by a local company according to the county council’s specification.

Hazardous waste category
Asbestos	Gas bottles
Automotive batteries	Household and garden chemicals
Clinical waste	Household batteries
Explosives	Motoring products
Fire extinguishers	Oils and oil filters
Fluorescent tubes	Paints and related DIY products
Fridges/freezers	WEEE
Other problematic wastes
Aerosols	Radioactive Waste
Tyres	Vegetable oil

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