Waste Acceptance Criteria

ESG Environmental Chemistry Business Unit provides Waste Acceptance Criteria Testing (WAC). The WAC covers the minimum testing requirements that need to be met for the disposal of hazardous waste to a hazardous landfill or nonhazardous waste to an inert landfill. If the waste does not comply with the relevant WAC, the landfill should not accept the waste.

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Waste Acceptance Criteria testing needs to be undertaken once a waste (including soils) has been characterised as hazardous. WAC testing also needs to be done if a non-hazardous waste is to be disposed of to an inert landfill site. The Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) became mandatory in July 2005.The following points answer the most commonly asked questions.

Main Points:

• WAC testing does NOT characterise waste as hazardous or non-hazardous. Characterisation testing for soils needs to be driven by the desk study and the results processed accordingly.
• Non-hazardous waste does not need WAC testing unless disposal to an inert landfill is being considered.
• If you have characterised your waste as hazardous then you must test for a hazardous WAC suite (or a ‘Stable Non-Reactive Hazardous’ suite if disposal to ‘Stable Non-Reactive Cell in a Non-Hazardous Landfill’ is being considered).
• If you wish to save time, the WAC testing can be scheduled alongside the testing for characterisation. If an inert landfill is being considered for nonhazardous waste, then you should schedule a ‘Full WAC Suite’. If you are not considering disposal to an Inert Landfill, then schedule a ‘Hazardous WAC Suite’.
• Check with the landfill site if there are any other criteria that need to be met under the landfill’s permit.
• As of 30th October 2007, two new rules will apply to non-hazardous waste. Liquid wastes will be banned from landfill, and non-hazardous waste must be treated before it can be landfilled.

Laboratory Sample Requirements
Full WAC or Inert WAC Suite – a 1 litre plastic tub, a 120ml amber jar, and a 60ml amber jar.

Hazardous or Stable Non-Reactive Hazardous WAC Suite – a 1 litre plastic tub.
10-15 working day turnaround.

Further Information
The information above is guidance only and correct as of September 2007. New guidance is periodically introduced and therefore it is worth checking with the Environment Agency website and the landfill operators.