Over 70% of businesses in the UK electrical sector could be unaware of new legislation that will prevent them from having their waste collected, result in fines of up to £5,000 or even see managers imprisoned. This is the warning from UK waste company, Biffa Waste Services, following research by the Environment Agency into the impact of the new European Hazardous Waste Regulations, which became law on the 16 July.
These regulations classify an increased amount of waste as hazardous to encourage recovery and reduce the amount sent to landfill. It means that for the first time electrical and lighting retailers, suppliers and manufacturers find themselves in the position of being hazardous waste producers.