Disclaimer
The purpose of this section is to give a brief overview of legislation as it relates to your liquid and special/hazardous waste. Compliance with the law is the responsibility of businesses and their employees. Information provided here has no legal status and Mid-Counties Waste disclaims any liability for errors. If you have any doubts regarding the legality of any aspect of your liquid and special/hazardous waste disposal, you should seek legal advice or contact the appropriate authority, which could be the Local Authority, Environment Agency, or Water Authority. We will be pleased to point you in the right direction.

Controlled Waste
All commercial and industrial waste is classified as controlled waste except agricultural, mines and quarries, explosive, and radioactive waste.

Duty of Care
Duty of Care applies to any person concerned with producing, storing, transporting, treating or disposing of controlled waste. Breach of the Duty of Care is an offence.

You have a duty to make sure your waste is:

Properly contained and not allowed to escape your control. For example you should be careful not to allow oil and silt to discharge from your interceptor in to the water course or leakage from drummed waste should be contained in a bund.
Transferred only to a carrier who is licensed and authorised to deal with it.
Accurately described on a waste transfer note - a document that accompanies any transfer of waste between you and the carrier and should be retained for two years.

Special Waste
Waste is special if it is potentially hazardous or dangerous and needs extra precautions during handling, storage and disposal. Examples of special wastes are asbestos, lead-acid batteries, used engine oils, oily sludges, solvents and chemical wastes. If you are in doubt seek our advice or contact the Environment Agency.

Before special waste is moved from your premises, you need to pre-notify the Environment Agency at least three working days in advance so that the transfer of waste can be monitored from the time it is taken from your premises through to disposal. A consignment note containing a unique Environment Agency code and including a full description of the waste with carrier and disposal details must be completed.

Our service to you includes arranging on your behalf all the necessary legal documentation.