Questions and Answers

Please can you confirm that it is acceptable to dispose of Covid lateral flow tests in the general waste, if they are used as part of a large-scale workplace testing programme? A friend working in healthcare has told us that these tests are classified as healthcare waste.

Is it true that small quantities of waste from excavation work must now be classified as hazardous?

With more employees returning to the workplace as Covid restrictions are eased, we want to ensure that we provide them with the most appropriate information. Could you outline what information we should be communicating to employees?

Which environmental offences attract the biggest fines? Is there any difference between a fine and an enforcement undertaking?

I may have to lay off a significant number of my staff as a result of the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus. I understand that I can obtain financial help from the Government. Can you summarise the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention (“Furlough”) Scheme for me?

As part of the refurbishment of a Victorian industrial building, we are cleaning and reusing many of the original roof tiles. During the 1980s these were coated with a bitumen-based substance to prolong the life of the roof. We were dismayed when samples of the coating were found to contain low levels of asbestos.

Fortunately, the concentration is too low to bring the work within the asbestos licensing regime. The laboratory has also told us that the material is not notifiable. Does this mean that we can dispose of the waste with the rest of the construction waste from the site, or does it have to be dealt with separately?

Employees are required to wear face coverings due to the nature of their work. An employee has asked if they can use a face shield rather than a face covering. Is this allowed?

Are there differences in the Waste Duty of Care between Scotland and England? And, if we are registered as a waste carrier in Scotland, can we transport waste across the border?

We regularly review concerns raised by employees and other stakeholders in respect of the Covid-secure measures we are adopting. Most concerns relate to how individuals are behaving, ie not following the measures required. What can we do to improve behaviour?

What changes have been introduced to the legislation on international shipments of waste?