Domestic waste, separated domestic fractions and asbestos

What is 'domestic' waste and do the regulations apply to it?

For the purposes of these regulations:

Domestic waste is "waste from accommodation used purely for living purposes (and without commercial gain) and which is disposed of via the normal mixed domestic refuse collection". 'Normal mixed domestic refuse' is non-hazardous, even though it may contain small quantities of hazardous wastes generated by the domestic premises. Waste collection authorities may specify the types of waste that may be disposed of in domestic bins.

Hazardous waste that has been separated from other normal mixed domestic refuse is a 'separated domestic fraction'.

The regulations don’t apply to domestic waste, other than asbestos and separated domestic fractions.

How do the regulations apply to asbestos wastes from domestic premises?

The regulations apply to asbestos which is also domestic waste.

However, they do not place any controls on the occupier of the domestic premises or anyone acting on their behalf without reward. For example, a domestic householder who removes asbestos waste from their own house and takes it to a civic amenity site, with the assistance of an unpaid neighbour, is not subject to hazardous waste controls.

Where the asbestos waste is produced by a contractor, who is engaged by the householder to carry out any works at his domestic premises, then the regulations do apply to the contractor.

The contractor is also treated as the consignor unless he has engaged another person to be the consignor.

What are ‘separated domestic fractions’?

These are wastes that are:

• Hazardous waste which is domestic waste; and
• Has been separated from other domestic waste.

These wastes must not be mixed with other wastes, either on the collection vehicle or later. 

Are separated domestic fractions controlled by the Regulations?

The regulations apply to these wastes.

However, there is no need to provide a consignment note when such waste is removed from the domestic premises and then taken to premises for collection, disposal or recovery.

The establishment or business which accepts such waste at premises for collection, disposal or recovery is then treated as the producer of the waste.

These wastes will then come under the full requirements for any onward movement of the waste from the premises for collection, disposal or recovery.