Factories to get help to deal with hazardous waste

Small businesses making machinery and equipment are invited to take part in an EU-funded project - to help companies reduce the amount of hazardous waste they produce - and save money.

Small businesses undertaking the manufacture of machinery and equipment are being invited to take part in a new EU-funded project, established to help companies reduce the amount of hazardous waste they produce - and save money.

The three-year HAZRED project aims to demonstrate the benefits of setting hazardous waste reduction targets and developing hazardous waste reduction plans in partnership with industry sectors that have a large proportion of small businesses.

The 'Manufacture of Machinery and Equipment' sector, which generates approximately 50,000 t/a of hazardous waste, is one of six priority sectors selected for the HAZRED project.

HAZRED is looking to work with 20 small businesses in the sector to monitor and evaluate reduction in hazardous waste produced and cost savings achieved.

Participating businesses will receive access to the hazardous waste reduction plan, developed by a team of experts including regulators and industry trade associations, which includes reduction targets.

They will also benefit from free on-site training with a specialist adviser, including help with implementation, monitoring and evaluating waste outputs and cost savings.

Ongoing support and advice will also be available through the HAZRED hotline, website and a dedicated email address.

Gill Ross-Jones from the HAZRED project said: "A significant proportion of the industry is made up of small businesses - many of which simply do not have the time and resources to dedicate to environmental issues.

Since the introduction of the new Hazardous Waste Regulations (England and Wales) last year, many more businesses are having to deal with hazardous waste and the associated costs for the first time." She explained: "The HAZRED project will work closely with businesses in this sector to demonstrate how a focused, industry sector approach could help to reduce hazardous waste arisings.

By introducing a systematic hazardous waste prevention programme, businesses can not only ensure they comply with environmental regulations but cut costs as well." Businesses and stakeholders involved in the manufacture of machinery and equipment who are interested in taking part in the project are invited to attend a workshop, which will take place on 24th May at Haydock Park Racecourse, which is located between Manchester and Liverpool.

To find out more about the workshop or to register interest in attending, businesses can contact naomi.davidson@environment-agency.gov.uk.

To find out more about HAZRED, businesses can visit www.hazred.org.uk, which has a section dedicated to the industry.

The HAZRED project is an EU-Life partnership project between the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Irish Environmental Protection Agency, the Welsh Assembly Government, Envirowise, the Groundwork Foundation, SafetyKleen, and the Waste Recycling Group.

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