Hazardous Waste Disposal

Some waste needs more care than a standard collection.

EMS Waste Services can help businesses, trades, contractors and domestic customers arrange safe and responsible hazardous waste disposal across the South West. Hazardous waste can include materials that may be harmful to people, property or the environment if they are not handled correctly.

Our team can help identify the right disposal route, arrange suitable collection options where available and make sure the waste is handled properly.

For hazardous waste enquiries, contact EMS Commercials on 01726 984011.

Safe Disposal for Difficult Waste

Hazardous waste should never be placed in a normal skip, wheelie bin or general waste collection unless it has been agreed first.

Items such as chemicals, paints, oils, contaminated materials, aerosols, batteries, fluorescent tubes and certain electrical or industrial wastes may need to be handled separately. The correct disposal route will depend on the type of material, the amount of waste and where it has come from.

EMS can help you understand what can and cannot be collected, and what information is needed before arranging disposal.

What Counts as Hazardous Waste?

Hazardous waste is waste that could pose a risk because of what it contains, how it reacts, or the harm it could cause if it is handled incorrectly.

This can include waste that is:

Flammable
Corrosive
Toxic
Irritant
Contaminated
Harmful to the environment
Difficult to dispose of through normal waste routes

Common examples may include:

Paints and paint tins
Oils and oily materials
Solvents and chemicals
Aerosols
Batteries
Fluorescent tubes
Cleaning chemicals
Contaminated packaging
Workshop waste
Certain electrical items
Asbestos-containing materials, where arranged separately

Not every hazardous item can be collected in the same way, so it is always best to speak to the EMS Commercials team first.

Hazardous Waste for Businesses

Businesses have a responsibility to make sure their waste is stored, collected and disposed of correctly.

EMS can support businesses that produce hazardous waste as part of their normal work or during one-off projects. This may include workshops, garages, construction sites, maintenance companies, farms, factories, schools, offices, landlords and property managers.

We can help with practical advice on separating hazardous waste from general waste, arranging suitable collections and making sure the waste is sent through the correct disposal route.

Hazardous Waste from Site Clearances

Hazardous waste is often found during clearances, refurbishments and construction work.

Older buildings, workshops, stores, yards and commercial premises can contain materials that need careful handling. This could include old paint, oils, chemicals, fluorescent tubes, contaminated containers or asbestos-containing items.

If you are unsure what is on site, contact EMS before putting anything into a skip. It is much easier to plan the right collection in advance than to deal with a rejected or contaminated load afterwards.

Asbestos Waste

Asbestos waste must be handled separately and should not be mixed with general waste.

If you suspect waste contains asbestos, do not break it up, bag it without advice or place it into a general skip. Asbestos-containing materials need the correct disposal route, and it is important to speak to the team before arranging a collection.

EMS can advise on asbestos disposal enquiries and help point you in the right direction for safe handling and disposal.

For asbestos or hazardous waste enquiries, contact EMS Commercials on 01726 984011.

Why Hazardous Waste Needs Proper Handling

Hazardous waste can cause serious problems if it is mixed with normal waste.

It can create risks for customers, staff, drivers, recycling teams and the environment. It can also lead to rejected loads, extra charges and delays if hazardous materials are found in the wrong container.

Separating hazardous waste correctly helps keep collections safe and makes sure the waste is dealt with in the right way from the start.