WASTE DISPOSAL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

What are your basic responsibilities?

Identification & Segregation Wastes must be identified and segregated according to their category as described by the EWC. For example sharps should be separated from non sharp waste and stored in a puncture resistant container. Storage Waste must be stored securely and in appropriate containers e.g. sharps in a UN3291 approved puncture resistant container.

What is duty of care?

Duty of care means that the waste you produce remains your responsibility until it is legally and properly disposed of/ from cradle to grave so to speak. Through a "chain of custody" the responsibility to ensure that all waste is legally managed is shared by all the people in the "chain" i.e. the producer (the veterinary practice) the waste carrier (persons/companies who collect and remove waste) and other holders of the waste (landfill facilities, waste treatment facilities etc.).

Your practice remains responsible for your waste until it is treated or disposed of in a legal manner, even after it has been transferred to a waste collector. It is also your responsibility to ensure that any company to whom you transfer your waste is legally permitted to do so and that the facility they bring your waste to is licensed to handle/treat that type of waste.

WASTE LEGISLATION

Council Directive 75/442/EEC as amended by Directive 91/156/EEC and 91/692/EEC

The foundation European legislation which acts as a framework for modern waste management regulation in Europe.

European Waste Catalogue (EWC) European Commission Decision 94/3/EC replaced by 2000/532/EC and further amended by 20001/118/EC and 2001/119/EC.

This legislation allows harmonisation of waste description and categorisation throughout the EU.

Waste Management Act 1996

This is the primary Irish statutory law in relation to the management of waste. The act states that a person shall not hold, transport recover or dispose of waste in a manner that causes or is likely to cause environmental pollution.

Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2001

This is the Irish enabling legislation for the European Landfill Directive which provides for measures, procedures and guidance to prevent or reduce as far as possible negative effects on the environment, in particular the pollution of surface water/ groundwater/ soil and air/ and on the global environment/including the greenhouse effect/ as well as any resulting risk to human health/from the landfilling of waste/ during the whole life cycle of the landfill.

Waste Management (Hazardous Waste) Regulations 1998

This law imposes obligations on producers of hazardous waste to keep records of the quantities/ nature/ origin and treatment of such waste/ even when transferred to another person/ and to segregate/ store and label such waste appropriately.

Waste Management (Movement of Hazardous Waste) Regulations 1998

This law provides for the system of consignment notes (commonly known as Cl forms) required for the movement of hazardous wastes within the state.

Waste Management (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1998

This is the law that provides for the licensing of landfill disposing activities and waste recovery activities. Any disposal or recovery facility can only accept the specific wastes authorised by this legislation for that particular facility.

Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations 1997

This legislation provides that all producers of packaging must take steps to secure the recovery/recycling of packaging waste arising on their own premises. This would include packaging goods supplied by vets to their clients.

Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2001

This is the legislation which authorises the waste collection permits. Every person/company who collects waste must apply for a collection permit from the relevant local authority and only upon receipt of the permit can they legally collect waste.

Animal By Products 1774/2002

This European wide legislation lays down health rules concerning animal by-products not intended for human consumption. It defines three categories of animal by-product and how they are permitted to be treated and/or disposed of. Amongst other things it precludes the burial of fallen animals on farm or landfilling of animal by-product including pets.

Protection of the Environment Bill 2003

This bill provides for the implementation of the European Directive 96/61 1996 which concerned integrated pollution prevention and control. It also amended the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992/ The Waste Management Act 1996, and The Litter Pollution Act 1997.