Household hazardous waste data for the UK by direct sampling.
The amount of household hazardous waste (HHW) disposed of in the United Kingdom (UK) requires assessment. This paper describes a direct analysis study carried out in three areas in southeast England involving over 500 households. Each participating householder was provided with a special bin in which to place items corresponding to a list of HHW. The amount of waste collected was split into nine broad categories: batteries, home maintenance (DIY), vehicle upkeep, pesticides, pet care, pharmaceuticals, photographic chemicals, household cleaners, and printer cartridges. Over 1 T of waste was collected from the sample households over a 32-week period, which would correspond to an estimated 51,000 T if extrapolated to the UK population for the same period or over 7,000 T per month. Details of likely disposal routes adopted by householders were also sought, demonstrating the different pathways selected for different waste categories. Co-disposal with residual household waste dominated for waste batteries and veterinary medicines, hence avoiding classification as hazardous waste under new UK waste regulations. The information can be used to set a baseline for the management of HHW and provides information for an environmental risk assessment of the disposal of such wastes to landfill.
Slack
Rebecca J
RJ
Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College, Prince Consort Road, London, SW7 2BP, UK.
Bonin
Michael
M
Gronow
Jan R
JR
Van Santen
Anton
A
Voulvoulis
Nikolaos
N
D003625:Data Collection; D004739:England; D006256:Hazardous Waste / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification*; D006795:Household Products / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification*; D006801:Humans; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D006256:Hazardous Waste