The desire of businesses to make sure they are on the right track in relation to the forthcoming Hazardous Waste Regulations and full Waste Acceptance Criteria was clearly illustrated by the excellent take-up of places on four regional roadshows that took place in April and May.

A broad cross section of organisations from SMEs to national companies and trade bodies attended the events in Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and London which were hosted by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management and supported by Defra, the Environment Agency, the Environmental Services Association and local Chambers of Commerce.

Further assistance with running the events was received from a range of organisations including Envirowise, the Government Office for London, the Government Office for the South-West, the Greater London Authority, the Federation of Small Businesses and the CBI.

Delegates heard a presentation from the Environment Agency providing an overview of the regulations, followed by sessions from Envirowise and a waste contractor on sources of help and ways of preparing for the changes.

The events very much stressed the increased responsibilities of producers and the need for them to know what waste they are actually producing so that it can be dealt with appropriately.

CIWM communications manager Catherine Park commented: ‘These roadshows were a very worthwhile collaborative initiative, and the high attendance levels shows recognition of the importance of the regulations and the need to consider their implications carefully in relation to businesses’ own specific products and services before they come into force.’

Click here to access the Powerpoint presentations from these events.

Further information on hazardous waste is available at www.hazardouswaste.org.uk