This guidance document “The assessment and classification of waste packaging” was developed by trade associations[1] representing companies operating in the chemicals supply chain that use packaging. The Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales and Scottish Environment Protection Agency have welcomed the development of this guidance and have agreed to its adoption in England, Wales and Scotland.
The document provides guidance for assessing whether packaging to be taken offsite is waste or not and if waste, whether it is waste packaging or not and whether it should be classified as hazardous or non-hazardous. It includes a method that allows for the weight of the packaging to be taken into account and is intended to be complementary to the joint environment agencies’ Technical Guidance WM3[2]. The guidance will also support companies in the context of resource efficiency and the concept of the circular economy.
The guidance is available to view here.
[1] Trade Associations involved include British Association for Chemical Specialities, British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association, British Adhesives and Sealants Association, British Coatings Federation, British Plastics Federation, Chemical Business Association, Chemical Industries Association, International Fragrance Association, Industrial Packaging Association, Solvents Industry Association, and United Kingdom Lubricants Association
[2] Waste Classification: Guidance on the classification and assessment of waste WM3 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-classification-technical-guidance
Ends
For further information please contact Simon, [email protected] or 07951 389197
- The CIA is the Chemical Industries Association. The Association has member companies located across the UK. Our members are chemical and pharmaceutical businesses. Our industry is one of the UK’s top manufacturing exporters.
- The chemical and pharmaceutical industry adds £14.4 billion of value to the UK economy every year from total annual turnover of over £40 billion. This represents around 10% of the value added by the whole of UK manufacturing.
- In addition to gross value added, the sector also contributes to the UK economy in its position at the head of many supply chains within manufacturing and its employment of a well remunerated, high-skilled workforce. Chemical manufacturing adds £9 billion in gross value added annually and pharmaceutical manufacturing £5 billion.
- UK chemical and pharmaceutical companies invest around £4 billion in capital and R&D.
- The UK is a leading global chemical and pharmaceutical producer. The UK is the 11th largest chemical and pharmaceutical producer in the world and the 4th largest producer in the European Union.
- The wider chemical and pharmaceutical sector (manufacturing plus distribution) is the largest exporter of manufactured goods with annual exports of close to £50 billion. The export of motor vehicle, trailers and semi-trailers is the sector with next highest exports of £35 billion.
- 63% of companies in the sector export what they make to the world, the highest proportion of any goods manufacturing sector in the UK economy.
- We employ or are responsible for around half a million jobs throughout the UK