West Coast US states to discuss how to best protect Pacific coastline from oil spills

A task force, known as the Pacific Sates/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force, comprising of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii, are meeting in Seattle this week to consider emerging issues in energy and the best methods for protecting the Pacific coastline from the effect of oil spills. The states will use the meeting as an opportunity to keep one another abreast of developments in their spill-response programmes and any new initiatives. Other issues for discussion include the changes related to the transportation of energy along the West Coast, properties of new and emerging fuels, Arctic issues, and the risk of oil spills from large volumes of vessel traffic. The task force was legitimised after the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation in 1989 by the Governors of Alaska, Oregon, Washington and California, and the Premier of British Columbia in the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez and Nestucca oil spills. Disasters such as these serve to illustrate the West Coast states and provinces shared concerns at the risk of an oil spill, and the need for tightly integrated cooperation across shared borders. It is shared initiatives such as this task force that will enable states to improve spill prevention, spill containment and clean-up along the 56,600 miles of coastline stretching from Alaska to California and including the Hawaiian archipelago. www.yellowshield.co.uk
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Deepwater Horizon clean-up crew face increased risk of sickness and cancer

A new study released in the American Journal of Medicine has shown that workers involved in the large scale clean-up of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill are at greater risk of succumbing to cancer, leukaemia, and a whole raft of other illnesses. Back in 2010 BP hired more than 170,000 people for the remedial work required to protect coastlines from the 5 million barrels of oil that gushed out of the ocean floor. At the time workers would have been exposed to oil which contains the volatile carcinogen benzene but also hundreds of thousands of gallons of Corexit 9500, the dispersant used by BP to break up the oil and which is yet to have the concentration levels of its components fully disclosed to the public. During the spill containment and clean-up, workers complained of dizziness, fatigue, headaches and nausea. There have also been reports from some workers of increases in asthma and coughing up blood. The study published in the AMJ assessed the adverse affects of oil and dispersant exposure on 117 subjects who had participated in the clean-up and compared them to 130 subjects who were unexposed. It concluded that those exposed workers "experienced significantly altered blood profiles, liver enzymes and somatic symptoms."  The Houston Chronicle reported that these physiological alterations could be "a warning sign of liver dysfunction and damage." Although workers were supplied with personal protective equipment it has been suggested that some workers may have removed the equipment in the burning summer sun or used diluents to scrub of any oily residues. Toxins such as benzene can seep into the body through the skin tissue and into the blood stream which can in turn go through to the bone marrow. The study's lead author, Mar. A. D'Andrea said, "Once it enters your system, it affects several organs." D'Andrea added that various studies have shown that patients with damaged bone marrow have higher incidence of possible leukaemia's, lymphoma and myelomas, and that potential liver damage increases the risk of liver, pancreas and gallbladder cancer. BP have stressed that workers were given the correct PPE and have also raised doubts over the validity of the study. BP spokesman Jason Ryan questioned the study for its small sample (only 0.1% of all the workers involved in the clean-up were tested) and also suggested that there was an inherent bias in the study since all the participants were "referred by their legal counsel, not randomly recruited." The company also stressed that "response worker and or public exposures to dispersants were well below levels that would pose a health or safety concern." The authors of the study intend to conduct further long-term studies to understand the real clinical significance of exposure to oil spills. http://www.yellowshield.co.uk  
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Spill containment exercise in Guernsey invokes memories of Torrey Canyon disaster

Guernsey's Oil Response Team conducted an exercise in spill containment this week in conjunction with States Works employees, Guernsey Harbour staff, civil protection volunteers and fire fighters. The Oil Response Teams undertook a morning of theory based lessons and then tested equipment in the waters of Guernsey. This included setting up a boom to replicate the containment of oil before deploying an oil skimmer for cleaning surface oil. Senior response specialist, Mark Harvey, said; "I've been on spills in parts of the world where very little preparedness has taken place, and you can definitely see the difference between those areas and areas where training, good contingency planning has been put into place. "The effects of that cannot be underestimated. Any region that does take that caution and that prior preparation before any incident the benefits are certainly there to be seen." The risk of an oil spill occurring in Guernsey has been assessed as very high so training such as this is vital in preparation for any significant spill. The last major spill to occur in Guernsey was the Torrey Canyon in 1967. Widely regarded as the world's first major oil marine spill, it leaked an incredible 110,000 tonnes of crude oil into the sea after striking Pollard's Rock between the Scilly Isles and Land's End, running aground and breaking up. The 270 square mile slick devastated coastlines from Cornwall to Normandy and killed as many as 18,000 seabirds. At the time it was the costliest shipping disaster ever. However, the 10 thousand tonnes of first generation "detergents" that were used by well intentioned clean-up operators potentially caused more environmental damage than the oil itself. 45 gallon drums of solvent emulsifiers used for cleaning ships engine rooms were poured over the edges of cliffs into inaccessible coves in attempts to clean the shoreline. The stricken super tanker Torrey Canyon was bombed by the RAF and any remaining oil was burned off. The incident was a watershed moment in terms of implementing international regulations. After the Torrey Canyon spill, the Civil Liability Convention and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships were both drawn up on the basis of making of imposing strict liabilities on the ship owners and minimising the risks of spills in marine environments.   www.yellowshield.co.uk  
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The advantages of different types of degreasing agents

Spill kits are an efficient and exceptionally effective method of cleaning up spills in any scenario. There is a spill kit available for any type of spilled liquid, whether that is oil, chemical or general spills, which can contain and clean up the spill. There are some circumstances though when the area contaminated by the spill will require further remedial work to make it safe and ensure that it isn't a slip hazard for employees. In situations such as these a degreasing product may be needed to bring the area back to safe operating standards. Types of Degreasing Agents: Oil Degreaser   Ideal for light-medium use, the oil degreaser is suitable for removing oil residues from any type of surface, including plant equipment, machinery, walls, floors and drainage systems. The oil degreaser is a water based solution with a bioremediation constituent that allows for oily soils to be broken down once the cleanup is complete. Not only is this an environmental benefit, it also means that the waste can be suitably discharged into an oil/water separator. Oil Degreaser for Tarmac, Asphalt or Concrete The Tarmac and Asphalt Cleaner is specific for cleaning and removing oil from tarmac, asphalt and concrete and is notably useful for application in sensitive areas. It provides efficient and effectual removal of oil or fuel from concrete or asphalt and being an aqueous solution it can be discharged directly into an oil-water separator without any detrimental effects. Heavy Duty Oil Degreaser The Heavy Duty Oil Degreaser is ideal for cleaning surfaces that have been heavily soiled by oil, fuels, chemicals or old carbonised fuel settlings. It can be used for cleaning up plant, equipment, walls and floors and as a solvent based degreaser it is specially formulated for quickly breaking up stubborn stains. It is not however, suitable for use on asphalt and tarmac surfaces. Floor Degreaser for Machine Application Ride-on floor cleaners are another method for cleaning soiled floors. They can be incorporated into a weekly or daily schedule of cleaning and provide an efficient method of keeping large working spaces clean and safe. The floor degreaser for machine application is a non-caustic, alkaline solution with low foam properties that is suitable for use with floor cleaning machines. www.yellowshield.co.uk    
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Gulf of Thailand Oil Spill: Doubts persist over cleanup efforts

50,000 litres leaked into the Gulf of Thailand Last Sunday a pipeline in the Gulf of Thailand ruptured gushing an estimated 50,000 litres of crude oil into the sea, of which 5,000 litres has now washed up onto the popular tourist resort of Koh Samet. The slick has engulfed the pristine white sands of Ao Phrao beach covering a 600 metre stretch, while a 30cm thick sludge remains offshore amid concerns that the cleanup operation lacks sophistication and expertise. The leak was first detected during a routine oil transfer from a moored tanker to the pipeline and subsequently the Royal Thai Navy has been deployed for remedial work along with hundreds of other volunteers. However, the Thai Deputy PM Plodprasop Suraswadi claimed that the country is ill equipped to contain the oil spill and have sought assistance from neighbouring countries.   Idyllic beach to be "cleansed" within three days The pipeline is operated by PTT Global Chemical, the partially state owned petrochemical and refining company. They have flown oil spill containment and management experts to help speed up the removal of the oil. PTT Global Chemical had confidently stated that they believed the bay of Koh Samet would be "cleansed" within three days, claims that were clearly at odds with campaigners from Greenpeace. One Greenpeace representative said it was "very disappointing that this global company has no emergency plan to deal with the crisis." Further proof of this was evident when a local hotelier launched an appeal for donations of human hair to make a "hair sausage" to absorb the oil. The incident compelled Greenpeace to call on the Thai government to place a moratorium on their exploration of oil in the Gulf of Thailand. Extreme impact on tourism The Thai Tourism Minister Somsak Phurisisak expressed his shock at the spill telling reporters that he "didn't think this spill would impact tourism in such as extreme way." While booms lay saturated with oil on the beach, cleanup crews have been pumping the crude into holding tanks and IBC's while simultaneously mopping up the oil with absorbent pads, one academic has questioned the original estimate of the size of the spill. By using satellite imagery and calculating the quantity of dispersant used, Professor Sompmorn Chuai-Aree estimated that the true size of the spill could be 100,000 litres, double the original estimate.     Initial response to spill deemed ineffective Many doubts remain over the remedial work carried out by PTT Global Chemical. The 200 metre long boom initially used to contain the spill appears to have been too small and ineffective in containing the spill and now many have questions over the type of dispersant in use in the Gulf of Thailand. Furthermore, some witnesses have reported seeing cleanup crews working without the correct PPE, an oversight which could have potentially damaging consequences for personal health if they come into contact with some of the dangerous toxins present in some oil dispersants. For a company such as PTT Global Chemical, who increased its profits in 2012 by 13% on the previous year, the lack of contingency shows a naivety and lack of organisational planning that conflict with the company's aims to expand aggressively throughout Southeast Asia in the coming years. www.yellowshield.co.uk

Initial response to spill deemed ineffective

Many doubts remain over the remedial work carried out by PTT Global Chemical. The 200 metre long boom initially used to contain the spill appears to have been too small and ineffective in containing the spill and now many have questions over the type of dispersant in use in the Gulf of Thailand. Furthermore, some witnesses have reported seeing cleanup crews working without the correct PPE, an oversight which could have potentially damaging consequences for personal health if they come into contact with some of the dangerous toxins present in some oil dispersants.
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Choosing the correct spill kit for your site

  In recent years the increase in environmental and health and safety regulations has meant the internet is now awash with a wide range of spill kits designed for a variety of applications with differing absorbent capacities. Therefore if you are choosing a specific spill kit for a certain application obtaining advice from a specialist spill kit provider would be a prudent move before committing to any purchase.   Assessing your spill kit requirements Before choosing a particular spill kit you need to assess what type of spills will be most likely to occur, where they are most likely to happen and the potential volume of liquid that may be spilled. For instance, if you own a haulage company then you could assume there is potential for spills of oil from vehicles which would require an oil spill kit for remediation work should a spill occur. A haulage company would also operate forklift trucks on site so you might consider a specialist spill kit in the event that a forklift truck leaks fluid. Likewise, in a garage where coolants and cutting fluids are used, a general purpose spill kit would suffice but for any unidentified aggressive chemicals a chemical spill kit would be required.   Make your spill kits easily accessible Choosing the right spill kit is only half the battle. Ensuring that operators have easy access to spill kits is paramount in an emergency where time is of the essence. If operators have difficulty locating the spill kit then excessive and avoidable contamination could occur with far reaching consequences. To avoid this it is vital to have a number of readily available spill kits strategically positioned around your site and that all staff are fully aware of their role in an emergency spill scenario. Speak to the experts If you are not sure which spill kit will be suitable for your needs or if you have any doubts about the absorbent capacity you require then it would be worthwhile speaking to an expert in the field who will be able to assist you or even arrange a spill site assessment.  
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A brief guide to Absorbent, Containment and Fence Booms

  This week the River Hamble Harbour Authority carried out an oil spill exercise based on a scenario of 30,000 litres of heating oil spilling in to the river. The exercise will involve the deployment of oil booms upstream and downstream of the M27 bridge crossing. As this is a vital part of any oil spill response plan, this blog will provide a brief explanation of booms and their applications. Booms used for spill containment can be categorised in to two simple categories, containment booms and absorbent booms.   Absorbent Booms Absorbent booms can be used in conjunction with other absorbent products such as absorbent pads and rolls. They are used for selectively absorbing oil from water to maximise the amount of oil recovered and minimise the damage to the marine environment. Large Marine Booms can absorb up to 300 litres per 3 metre boom and are ideal for use on rivers, marinas and harbours. They can be overlapped and connected using clips and rings ensuring that all spilled oil can be captured. Absorbent booms can also be deployed on land for the absorption of oil and chemicals. The land boom can be used for the absorption of general and oil spills whereas the chemical land boom is specifically designed for absorbing acids, alkalis and other unidentified hazardous chemicals. Simple to deploy and retrieve, land booms are ideal for use on construction sites and chemical plants. Containment Booms Containment booms are an ideal emergency or pre-emptive measure for containing spills of oil in open waters. Inflatable booms provide fast and effective containment of oil and cover a large area when compared to the required storage space. They are available in two different sizes of varying depths and can be secured to the river bank with rope or bank end fittings. Fence Booms Fence booms are mainly used as a temporary measure for oil containment on low rivers, brooks and streams. With integral buoyancy chambers the fence boom will stay afloat and like the inflatable boom, it can be easily stored and secured to the bank using either a rope or bank end fittings. Absorbent and containment booms are an essential part of any oil spill response plan and can ensure you have a product that is easily deployable to tackle any spill efficiently and effectively on land or at sea.  
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The Advantages of Using Drum and IBC Spill Pallets

Throughout the UK, warehouses and factories have to store large amounts of flammable or hazardous liquids for a variety of applications. To ensure that they are up to code and meet the current Environment Agency and Health and Safety Executive guidelines, contingencies are required in the event of a spill from any liquid storage vessel. By far the most common types of liquid storage vessels used in factories and warehouses are the standard 205 litre drums and IBC units. The most effective way to contain leaks or spills from these containers is to use either a bunded drum spill pallet or a bunded IBC spill pallet. Drum Spill Pallets Drum Spill Pallets are designed for indoor and outdoor storage of drums and smaller containers. They are a seamless, single moulded piece manufactured from robust and durable polyethylene. Drums can be located on top of the spill pallet so if the vessel should leak any liquid it will be captured in the sump of the spill pallet. The liquid that is caught in the sump can be easily cleaned up by removing the non-slip plastic grate that covers the bund, and disposing of it in the appropriate manner.  So as well as providing a convenient method of storing and transporting drums, the drum spill pallet also serves as a secondary containment unit. There are 6 standard sizes of drum spill pallets available as well as frames and covers to prevent rainwater contamination for when they are stored outside, or hardcover spill pallets with roller shutter doors for enhanced security. IBC Spill Pallets IBC's (1000 Litre Intermediate Bulk Containers) need to be stored properly in order to create a safe working environment by limiting any potential leaks or spillages. IBC spill pallets, like drum spill pallets are manufactured from polyethylene as one fully moulded piece. The IBC should be located on the pallet and is supported by strengthened integral columns. Again, any leaks or spills from the IBC will be contained in the sump below avoiding any potential spillages on the ground. IBC spill pallets are also available with bucket dispensing areas that allow workers to access the liquid stored in the IBC without the risk of spillage or leaks. They are available in either single IBC or double IBC formats and can be supplied with or without removable grids. Oil Storage Regulations The Oil Storage Regulations 2001 state that any spill pallet must be able to contain at least 110% of the volume of the container that it is used for storing. For instance, for a 1,000 litre IBC, the IBC spill pallet has a total sump capacity of 1100 litres. If you are storing more than one container then the sump must be able to hold at least 110% of the largest container, or 25% of their aggregate capacity, or whichever is greatest. By using either a drum spill pallet or an IBC spill pallet you will be guaranteeing not only lawful compliance but also the safety of your workforce and the surrounding environment.   www.yellowshield.co.uk
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Eight Simple Steps in Selecting the Correct Oil Spill Absorbent

  There is an abundance of oil absorbent products on the spill control market today which can make it difficult to ascertain which product will be most suited to your requirements. From loose absorbents to absorbent pads, rolls, socks and cushions, choosing the right product for you depends upon your application.   1 - Do you require a spreadable loose absorbent for interior or exterior usage? Interior: Cellulose based granules are highly absorbent, virtually dust free granules that represent fantastic value per litre absorbed making them the ideal absorbent for indoor use. Exterior: Clay granules are a heavyweight granule that won't blow away in the wind and are especially designed for outdoor use. Absorbent pads, sheets and rolls can be used in outside locations offer better value per litre absorbed and are easier to recover once saturated.   2 - Do you want to absorb water as well as oil (e.g. cutting fluids) or mild chemicals? Yes: In this instance you would be best advised to use a general purpose absorbent. No: If you only want to absorb oil then you can use either a general purpose absorbent or oil only absorbent. Oil only absorbents are hydrophobic so it will absorb oil and repel water. 3 - Do you want to contain oil as well as absorb it? Yes: Then go to question 4. No: Go to question 6.   4 - Do you require spill containment products for underneath vehicles? Yes: Polyethylene Spill Trays are an economical alternative to steel trays and can be lined with an absorbent pad or pillow to allow for easy cleaning of the tray. No: Absorbent socks are ideal for containing as well as absorbing spilled oil as they are incredibly flexible and highly absorbent and can used to encircle and contain a spill.   5 - Do you require self-draining containment systems for absorbing leaks from plant and machinery that are located outside? Yes: The Plant Nappy is the only self-draining containment system that is recommended by the Environment Agency.       6 – Are you looking for an absorbent with a high absorbent rate to tackle heavy oil contamination? Yes: General Purpose Pillows will absorb the most oil with an absorbent rate of up to 6 litres per pillow. However, absorbent pads can combine an adequate absorbent rate (up to 1 litre per pad) with simple deployment and economical usage.     7 – Do you need an absorbent for frequent cleaning and is cost per sheet more important than the absorbent rate? Yes: The General Purpose Absorbent Rolls have the benefit of being perforated so they can be used as required. They dispense a larger number of sheets than a box of pads, therefore offering greater economical value per sheet.                     8 – Are you looking for an absorbent for wiping parts and machinery? Yes: If you require a product for simply wiping parts or surfaces then Industrial Wipes are often an adequate and cost effective solution.     www.yellowshield.co.uk
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BP removes Deepwater cleanup crews in three affected states

BP and the US Coast Guard have this week concluded that beaches in the states of Alabama, Florida and Mississippi are now clean enough for BP to end the regular patrols that have been in operation since the 2010 oil spill. However, beaches in Louisiana still remain badly affected by the tide of oil that washed up on its shoreline three years ago. Louisiana was hit hardest by the spill because of its shorelines proximity to the Macondo well. Oil was found along a 125 mile stretch of its coastline and complications with the spill containment process have led to longer than expected cleanup times. Back in the summer of 2010, local officials had voiced concerns about a lack of available containment booms for protecting the coastline and the effectiveness of the booms when in place. It was found that while the heavy-duty containment booms were working well in open seas, rough sea conditions had meant that much of the oil had washed over the booms in place on the coastline and contaminated beaches and marshland. BP spokesman Jason Ryan said that there had been "significant progress" in Louisiana and this would continue "until the Coast Guard determines that the active cleanup is complete." Despite the US Coast Guard declaring Alabama, Florida and Mississippi largely free of oil contamination, tourists and environmentalists in Florida have questioned this amid claims large amounts of tar balls still remain on the beaches. However, Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Natalie Murphy believed that with only "minute amounts" of oil now left on Florida beaches it was now time to end regular cleanup patrols. The operations can actually cause problems for wildlife habitat and Murphy saw that "there was an imbalance that had to be addressed." BP has spent an estimated £9 billion on remedial work and has said that they will also cover the cost of any removing any remaining oil. www.yellowshield.co.uk
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BP remove Deepwater cleanup crews in three affected states

BP and the US Coast Guard have this week concluded that beaches in the states of Alabama, Florida and Mississippi are now clean enough for BP to end the regular patrols that have been in operation since the 2010 oil spill. However, beaches in Louisiana still remain badly affected by the tide of oil that washed up on its shoreline three years ago. Louisiana was hit hardest by the spill because of its shorelines proximity to the Macondo well. Oil was found along a 125 mile stretch of its coastline and complications with the spill containment process have led to longer than expected cleanup times. Back in the summer of 2010, local officials had voiced concerns about a lack of available containment booms for protecting the coastline and the effectiveness of the booms when in place. It was found that while the heavy-duty containment booms were working well in open seas, rough sea conditions had meant that much of the oil had washed over the booms in place on the coastline and contaminated beaches and marshland. BP spokesman Jason Ryan said that there had been "significant progress" in Louisiana and this would continue "until the Coast Guard determines that the active cleanup is complete." Despite the US Coast Guard declaring Alabama, Florida and Mississippi largely free of oil contamination, tourists and environmentalists in Florida have questioned this amid claims large amounts of tar balls still remain on the beaches. However, Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Natalie Murphy believed that with only "minute amounts" of oil now left on Florida beaches it was now time to end regular cleanup patrols. The operations can actually cause problems for wildlife habitat and Murphy saw that "there was an imbalance that had to be addressed." BP has spent an estimated £9 billion on remedial work and has said that they will also cover the cost of any removing any remaining oil. www.yellowshield.co.uk
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Fines handed out over river pollution - A case study in spill containment

In the last two weeks three separate companies and institutions have been prosecuted by the Environment Agency for committing pollution offences that resulted in three rivers becoming contaminated. This article will look at one the incidents separately and assess how a spill could have been prevented.   Westram Ltd, Scunthorpe 2011:

The Incident: On 13th January 2011, thieves broke into the premises of the Westram transport company in Scunthorpe with the intention of stealing fuel diesel from a metal tank. Although the thieves were disturbed the valve on the tap was left open and the diesel subsequently flowed into a surface water drainage pipe. Members of the public reported a strong odour of diesel in a tributary of the Bottesford Beck which was found to have spread 4km downstream from the source of the spill.

Containment: Upon discovery of the diesel spill the company "deployed spill kits and absorbent granules, which is the recommended practice for such incidences", believing that they had managed to contain the spill. However, samples taken from the tributary by the Environment Agency did establish that diesel had contaminated the water and oil absorbent booms were deployed to prevent diesel from contaminating further. Westram transport also spent £45,000 employing contractors to clean up the pollution caused by the spill.

Judgement: Westram Ltd were fined £23,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,300 for a spill that they estimated was between 200 and 500 litres of diesel. The company felt the fine meted out was unjust and could result in redundancies being made. However, the Environment Agency identified two key areas where the companies spill management procedure was flawed; the lack of a secondary containment system for the diesel storage tank and the lack of a securable cabinet for housing the tanks pipe work and dispensing equipment.

Evaluation: With regards to the diesel tank, it should have been housed within a secondary containment system that could hold 110% of the primary tanks volume. One method for achieving this would be to construct a bund wall from reinforced concrete that is impermeable to water and oil. Furthermore, with the tank being located near to a surface water drainage pipe that flows into a tributary, the installation of a steel bunded tank would have met the standards required by the Environment Agency and the law and avoided a spill altogether.

If the tank had been fitted with a securable cabinet for housing the pipe work and dispensing equipment then the thieves would not have been able to access the diesel without exerting considerable force and again, this action would have led to the avoidance of a spill.

Finally, the company maintained that they followed the recommended practice by deploying spill kits and granules. Unfortunately, although these actions were pertinent to the situation, the company had failed to protect a vulnerable surface water drainage pipe that flowed into the tributary. If a thorough spill site assessment been conducted then the vulnerable surface drain would have been identified as being at potential risk from an oil spill.

The primary aim in any spill site assessment is to prevent pollutants from contaminating the watercourse. Therefore, if a permanent inflatable drain sealing system had been installed in the drain the diesel would have been unable to pollute the tributary, and save thousands of pounds in fines and remedial work.

The Environment Agency said they had "dealt with the case professionally and fairly at all stages."

www.yellowshield.co.uk

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10 Top Tips on Best Practice in Using Wheelie Bins for Waste Disposal:

By sticking to a few common sense rules when managing wheelie bins on your premises will aid you in keeping your waste disposal legal, efficient and will allow you to better avoid water, air or soil pollution. Following basic protocols will enable you to determine if your waste is municipal solid waste from everyday consumption or if it requires any special treatment.

1. Decide if your waste is municipal solid waste or of a hazardous nature.

Incorrect disposal of hazardous wastes is illegal and can result in harm to the environment. To make sure that you know what constitutes hazardous waste they are some examples at the end of this blog. If you are in any doubt at all then please use the Environment Agency guideline: What is a Hazardous Waste, as a guide.  

2. Wastes from Commercial or Industrial Sites.

If your waste is free of hazardous materials then the Duty of Care (a law which states that you must take responsible action to ensure waste safety) requires any transfer of waste to be affixed with a written description. For example; "General non-hazardous waste from electrical engineering comprising of food waste, paper, metal, cardboard, plastic packaging and floor sweepings."  

3. Disposing of Used Oil

Engine oils and absorbents sopping with engine oils should be disposed of as a Special Waste or via your Local Oil Bank, some of which are located at supermarkets around the country. Oil Banks are strictly for the disposal of waste engine oils are not cooking oils or any other chemical. For further information see Pollution Prevention Guidelines Safe Storage and Disposal of Used Oils: PPG8.  

    4. Line your Wheelie Bin

This is a very simple but effective measure for keeping your wheelie bin clean. Wheelie Bin Liners minimise the contamination of the bin and using a biodegradable bin liner reduces the impact on the environment.    

 5. Contaminated Consumables

Everyday items that become contaminated such as wipes, disposable nappies, or food waste should be secured within biodegradable bags and placed into the bin.    

 6. Ensure the Lid Remains Closed

If vandalism is a frequent and persistent problem in your area, or if your wheelie bin is regularly filled with food waste, then the bin should be locked. Wheelie bins can be purchased with a fitted lock or they can be    retrospectively fitted.  

7. WRAP Compliant Recycle Stickers for Wheelie Bins

WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) polypropylene stickers are an efficient way identifying the type of the waste in the bin. The stickers can help ensure compliance with the EU Landfill Directive.    

 8. Cleaning Wheelie Bins

Wheelie bins used for general waste can become malodorous, attract flies and other insects and generally be unhygienic if not regularly cleaned. These problems can be eradicated by following some basic principles in cleaning your wheelie bins. Wheelie Bins should be cleaned frequently following guidelines as set out by the Environment Agency. a.     Ensure that the bin is completely empty Before cleaning remove any lingering waste from the bin and place into a biodegradable bag and seal. b.    Use the required amount of water Only use the minimum quantity of water when cleaning your bin. 1 litre of water should be sufficient for most standard sized 2 wheeled bins. c.     Use biodegradable detergent or disinfectants. Biodegradable products are environmentally friendly and will not cause harm to water bodies or the animals within them. Again, only use the required amount. d.    Safely store detergents and disinfectants. Safe storage will help prevent spillage. e.    Contaminated waste water. Contaminated waste water should not enter any drainage system. Your local water company will advise of the nearest location for disposal. A licence is required and a charge may levied.

 9. Professional Mobile Wheelie Bin Cleaning Services

If you are unable for whatever reason to comply with the above guidelines then professional wheelie bin cleaning services are available. Mobile cleaning vehicles carry a supply of water and recycle the wash water   into a foul sewer at an approved site.  

10. Drainage Systems

However you clean your wheelie bin you must take extra care not to cause pollution of a watercourse. Road gullies and drains are designed to carry surface water directly to the nearest river or stream, so any contaminated water or non-biodegradable detergent released into them will result in pollution. If convicted, this can carry a maximum penalty of a £50,000 fine or twelve months imprisonment in a Magistrates Court. If convicted in a Crown Court the fine can be unlimited and the offender can be given a custodial sentence of up to five years. Examples of Hazardous Waste: Nearly all businesses will produce hazardous waste of some type. Such examples include: •    Asbestos •    Chemicals, e.g. brake fluid and printer toner •    Electrical equipment with potentially harmful components such as cathode ray tubes, e.g. computer monitors and televisions •    Fluorescent light tubes and energy saving light bulbs •    Vehicle and other lead-acid batteries •    Oils (except edible oils) e.g. engine oil •    Refrigerators containing ozone-depleting substances •    Solvents, e.g. aerosols •    Pesticides www.yellowshield.co.uk
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Arctic Council Signs Legally Binding Spill Response Accord

On 15th May, the eight members of the Arctic Council, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the US, signed a new legally binding oil spill response accord, Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response agreement, that will attempt to codify spill response between the 8 circumpolar countries. The Council released a statement proposing that the accord will "substantially improve procedures for combating oil spills in the Arctic." The agreement will provide the framework for a more integrated approach to dealing with the prevention and containment of oil spills and will "encourage future national, bi-national and multinational contingency plans, training and exercises, to develop effective response measures." The Council also announced the establishment of a task force that will develop an action plan on pollution prevention in the Arctic to be presented at the next ministerial meeting in 2015. Vague on the detail So far there has been little detail about how countries will cooperate in the event of a spill, a point that was made back in February when Greenpeace obtained a draft copy of the agreement which they described as "vague at best." Further exploratory drilling in the Arctic also faces opposition from indigenous groups who have signed a joint statement rejecting such drilling for fear of the effect that industrialisation will have on their territories, and joining Greenpeace in calling for a moratorium on Arctic drilling. A Vision of the Arctic future The Arctic Council has also announced that 6 new countries, including China and India, have been granted observer status on the council. It is believed that with the Arctic rapidly thawing new seaways will open up and provide much quicker trade links between the West and Asia for oil and liquefied natural gas. In addition, with the chairmanship of the council passing to Canada for the next two years, their focus on "creating economic development" will see oil extraction move apace in the Arctic. It seems apparent now that with the legally binding agreement in place and a drive towards greater spill prevention and spill containment, that a new era of oil extraction has been ushered in.  Swedish minister Carl Bildt made it clear that this agreement "sends an important message to the world" and more tellingly, to the major oil conglomerates who will now begin to make greater headway into the estimated 90 million barrels of oil untapped oil that lay beneath the Arctic Ocean. www.yellowshield.co.uk
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