Hills Group - recycling, waste management, quarrying and the building of new homes.

WASTE CLASSIFICATION

What is a WAC test?

This is a specific two-part leachate test (solid to liquid ratios of 8:1 and 2:1) to BSEN12457-3 that is a component part of the waste acceptance procedure. This test has been designed to mimic the action of rainfall upon the waste when in landfill and to establish the stability of certain metals and organic components of the waste. Currently a WAC test is a requirement for hazardous and inert waste streams, though certain types of inert waste may be exempt from this test [ref:The Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations] The levels of the components specified in the test must be below certain thresholds before the waste can be allowed into landfill.

What does it mean if the waste fails the WAC test?

If the levels of the various components specified in the test exceed the set thresholds, the waste is deemed to have failed the WAC test. That being the case, this material will not be accepted into landfill. The producer must then determine an alternative route for the waste, eg incineration, or the waste must be remediated in order to reduce the component(s) responsible for the failure or to stabilise it in some way in order to reduce its leaching capabilities.

HAZARDOUS WASTE

I have some contaminated waste. What do I do next?

If you believe your waste is contaminated, we need to understand the source and level of contamination. Certain waste processes produce EWC codes that are absolute (red) entries eg 130101 hydraulic oils containing PCBs. In such cases, the waste is automatically designated as hazardous. Certain waste streams, however, are mirror (blue) entries eg 170503 soils and stones containing dangerous substances, where the waste may be hazardous depending upon its composition. In such cases, some form of analytical work may be required. An analysis, focusing on the believed reason(s) for contamination may be necessary in order to establish concentrations of contaminant. This data will then determine whether levels of contamination are sufficiently high to classify the waste as hazardous and, if so, establish the nature of the hazard (hazard code-H).

The results of any analysis should accompany your query / request for quotation to Hills. Should the waste prove to be hazardous or inert, a leachate test to BSEN12457-5 will be required, unless the inert waste is exempt [ref The Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations]. Hills can provide a complete waste collection service. We offer a range of containers suitable for collection of hazardous waste and will provide consignment notes on your behalf.

Do I need a consignment note to transport this waste?

A consignment note is required in order to transport waste classified as hazardous then in order to transport the waste. Such consignment notes can be downloaded from the Environment Agency’s website. The transportation of inert and non-hazardous waste however does not need a consignment note. Advice on completing consignment notes is available here for both multiple consignments and single consignments You can also view a sample completed consigment note.

Do I need to register as a hazardous waste producer?

In most cases, yes. Most commercial organisations will need to register with the Environment Agency as a hazardous waste producer. This can be done via the Environment Agency’s website. In response, you will receive a six-character code
which represents your premises code. This code will be part of your consignment note number when you fill in a consignment note prior to transport of the waste. However, the following are exempt, there being no requirement to register

if you produce less than 200 kgs per annum
if the waste is coming from domestic premises. This does not apply, however, if you are a contractor working on behalf of the householder
if the waste has been fly-tipped.

What are the thresholds for oil contamination?

Oil is a complex mixture comprised of different fractions. Generally, for the purposes of waste classification, we consider oil contamination to be one or more of the following:

petrol - the threshold is taken to be 1,000 mg/kg (0.1%)
diesel - threshold for diesel contamination is 10,000 mg/kg or greater.(1.0%)
kerosene – threshold 250,000 mg/kg (0.25%)
mineral oil – threshold 1,000 mg/kg (0.1%).

If you suspect hydrocarbon contamination, it may be prudent to specify the various carbon fractions. In other words, when an analysis is conducted, rather than obtaining a value for TPH (total petroleum hydrocarbons) which gives as its name suggests a value for all of the hydrocarbon species, request that the carbon bands are broken out. In this way, a clearer idea of the composition of the hydrocarbon mixture can be obtained. Therefore, whereas you thought you had mineral oil contamination with a threshold of 1,000 mg/kg, you in fact find that you have diesel with a threshold of 10,000 mg/kg. This may make the difference between having hazardous or non-hazardous waste.

Can I mix one waste stream with another?

From 2004, the co-disposal of waste (the mixing of hazardous and non-hazardous waste) is not allowed. Regulation 19 of the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 reflects the requirements of Articles 2(2) and 2(3) of the Hazardous Waste Directive and prohibits the mixing of hazardous waste, unless authorised by an appropriate permit. This affects producers, carriers and the consignee. It is, however, permitted to mix inert with non-hazardous or hazardous waste.

I have some drums of waste solvent. Will you take them?

No. Under the Landfill Regulations it is not permitted to take into landfill any materials which are liquid, flammable H3B (material with a flash point greater than or equal to 21C and less than or equal to 55C) or highly inflammable H3A.(flash point below 21C). In addition, the materials with the following properties are also banned from landfill… materials which may be explosive (H1), corrosive(H8), oxidising (H2), infectious (H9).

WASTE CONTAINERS

What happens to my waste once it’s been collected?

All visible waste is inspected on arrival at one of our waste treatment facilities and, where appropriate, sent to one of our waste transfer stations where recyclables are separated. Material that is unsuitable for recycling is disposed of at landfill as a last resort.

Who do I call to order a skip?
Waste collection is arranged from local depots to provide customers with efficient and personal service. Call 0845 603 2081 to be put in touch with your local depot or let us give you an online quote.

What type of waste do you collect?

Hills offers a total waste management option - we can tailor the most cost-effective collection, recycling and disposal service for your particular waste types. Call our sales contacts for more information.

What type of container is suitable for my business?

Hills provides a range of containers suitable for use on building sites, manufacturing plants, by small businesses and in the household. Advice is available from our sales team or browse our containers page.

Where do you offer waste collection?

We offer waste collection throughout Wiltshire, West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire, South Gloucestershire and Worcester. However, we can provide waste collection services throughout UK and can provide customers with total waste management solutions by dealing with all waste streams.

LANDFILL SITES

What is the location of your landfill sites?

Follow this link to find details of our sites.

VEHICLE ACCESS

What kinds of vehicles are permitted on-site?

Most vehicles are permitted. However, please be aware that your vehicle must be able to get on and off the tip unaided. This needs to be carefully considered during bad weather. Please note that articulated bulk tipper vehicles are not allowed access to our landfill sites under any circumstances.

COMPOST

How much compost do I get in a tonne?

The average bulk density of compost is approximately 2 m3 per tonne. Deliveries made in 1m3 bulk bags equate to approximately 0.5 tonne. In visual terms, this compares to the more commonly seen dumpy bag of aggregate, but is in fact half the weight, due to the lower density of compost.

Will there be bits of plastic and cardboard etc in the compost?

No, our compost is produced to strict BSI PAS 100 2005 criteria, all feedstock is visually checked prior to shredding, small amounts of paper / card will compost the same as green materials. Screening of the final product removes any remaining contamination. Warrior Compost meets all the requirements of both the Soil and Composting Associations and is suitable for use on ‘organic’ establishments.

I put weeds into my green waste, can I be sure that the seeds will not propagate and grow in the compost I have applied to my garden?

The composting process is monitored to ensure that a minimum temperature of 55oC is maintained for a minimum period of 14 consecutive days. This eliminates all pathogens and any extraneous seed growth.

What about Japanese Knotweed?

There are strict criteria governing what is acceptable as feedstock for composting. Japanese Knotweed is NOT among those, our screening measures ensure that none reaches the composting process and are correctly disposed of in the landfill, as are loads from commercial customers.

Are any additives mixed in during the composting period?

Warrior Compost is a 100 per cent natural product manufactured from recycled green waste collected in Wiltshire. Nothing is added to the compost at any stage of process, the nutrient levels are the result of a fully monitored and correctly run open windrow composting operation.

SETTING UP AN ACCOUNT

How do I set up an account?
Please complete a credit application form. While we will need you to post us the original form, you can speed up the process by initially faxing it to us at 01672 516213. We will then contact you.