HWRC trade waste controls: Frequently asked questions
As part of a programme of improvements to HWRCs, Hampshire County Council will be stepping up existing controls later this year, to prevent traders wrongfully using HWRCs to dispose of trade waste. This page provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the new measures, and will be added to in the coming months with answers to more specific questions.
Please note that permit applications will begin on 9 January 2008.
- Why are you introducing trade waste controls at HWRCs?
- What are the benefits of introducing trade waste controls?
- Are you preventing tax-paying householders from using the sites?
- Will these controls lead to an increase in fly-tipping?
- Why are you introducing a permit scheme?
- Why are you restricting vans and large trailers from using the sites?
- Why do HWRCs not accept trade waste for a fee?
HWRCs are not licensed to accept trade waste. However, existing trade waste controls, such as asking persons with commercial type vehicles to sign a Disclaimer Form confirming that the waste comes from their own household, have been shown to have only a limited impact. Disposal of trade waste at HWRCs negatively affects the service provided for Hampshire householders by adding to congestion, particularly on smaller sites. It also diverts staff away from their normal duties of running the site efficiently and extracting as much material as possible for recycling. Due to increasing landfill taxes and disposal costs, it is estimated that the overall bill to the council taxpayer for traders using HWRCs will soon be more than £1 million a year. Modernising and improving existing controls will bring them in line with accepted practices that have been tried and tested by neighbouring councils.
What are the benefits of introducing trade waste controls?
Reducing the number of traders entering sites will make the HWRC service more customer focused and quicker, easier and more pleasant to use, for example, by reducing congestion and queuing times, whilst increasing the amount of household waste recovered for reuse and recycling.
Are you preventing tax-paying householders from using the sites?
Householders are not being prevented from using HWRCs. Trade waste controls are being tightened up to restrict the amount of trade waste being brought to the sites, and measures are in place to ensure that it is only traders or those bringing in trade waste that are prevented from using the HWRC network, and not householders using the sites for their household waste and recycling.
Will these controls lead to an increase in fly-tipping?
These controls are used by the majority of neighbouring councils with no noticeable impact on fly-tipping. We will provide producers of trade waste with details of licensed alternatives for the reuse, recycling and disposal of their waste.
Why are you introducing a permit scheme?
Research shows that the majority of trade waste is delivered to HWRCs in commercial type vehicles such as vans. As trade waste is not accepted at HWRCs, vans and commercial vehicles will have restricted access to HWRCs to prevent trade waste being deposited. It is recognised that some housholders only have access to a large commercial type vehicle for their domestic use, and they will be able to apply for a free permit allowing them to continue accessing the sites. Preventing traders from entering the sites will reduce onsite congestion and make them quicker and easier to use. Permit applications will be available from 9 January 2008.
Why are you restricting vans and large trailers from using the sites?
Commercial type vehicles such as vans and large trailers entering HWRCs are mainly used by traders trying to dispose of their waste. Trade waste is not accepted at HWRCs. Vans and large trailers also cause congestion, particularly on smaller sites, affecting the service for householders. By enforcing trade waste controls and restricting the number of commercial type vehicles entering the sites, HWRCs will become quicker, safer and easier for householders to use.
Why do HWRCs not accept trade waste for a fee?
HWRCs are not licensed to accept trade waste for disposal or recycling. Allowing traders to dispose of trade waste on sites would also make them extremely busy and detract from the service provided to householders. Preventing traders from accessing HWRCs allows us to improve the service for residents and make HWRCs more pleasant and safer to use. A comprehensive list of licensed alternative disposal routes for trade waste is available, including methods for reuse and recycling.