Chemical Waste
Chemical Wastes, as grouped together in WikiWaste, represented around 2.1 million tonnes (equivalent to around 1.1%) of the overall waste generated by the UK each year. Whilst a relatively small proportion of the whole, over 1.5 million tonnes (around 71%) are classified as hazardous waste, which represents around 28% of the total hazardous waste generated in the UK.
Tonnages reported for Chemical Wastes in WikiWaste include a variety of solvents, used oils and effluents as well as a EWC-STAT code that is classified as Chemical Waste in its own right.
Types within Chemical Wastes
The Chemical Wastes are broken down by EWC-STAT codes in the DEFRA data[1] and grouped in WikiWaste as follows:
Spent Solvents
142 thousand tonnes reported as generated, nearly all from the manufacturing sector, all of which classified as hazardous waste (EWC_STAT Code 1.1).
70 thousand tonnes were reported as treated, nearly all of which went to incineration (a large proportion of which includes Cement Kilns).
Acid, Alkaline or Saline Wastes
159 thousand tonnes reported as generated, , nearly all from the manufacturing sector, 57.5% of which was classified as hazardous waste, (EWC_STAT Code 1.2).
Used Oils
318 thousand tonnes reported as generated, 36% from the services sector and around 50% from the wider manufacturing sector, all of which is classified as hazardous waste (EWC_STAT Code 1.3).
65 thousand tonnes were reported as treated, 85% of which went to incineration and 14% to ‘recovery other than energy recovery’.
Chemical Wastes
1,106 thousand tonnes reported as generated, 70% from the manufacturing sector, 82% of which is classified as hazardous waste (EWC_STAT Code 1.4, 2, 3.1).
180 thousand tonnes were reported as treated, around 62% recovery (except backfilling) and 19% incineration.
Industrial Effluent Wastes
331 thousand tonnes reported as generated, 76% from the manufacturing sector , 21% of which is classified as hazardous waste (EWC_STAT Code 3.2).
552 thousand tonnes were reported as treated, spit into 71% recovery (except backfilling), 23% recovery (including backfilling), around 12% ‘deposit into and onto land’ and 15% incineration.
Sludges & Liquids (from Waste Treatment)
No sludges and liquids were reported as generated as this category (EWC_STAT Code 12.7) primarily is from treated wastes.
559 thousand tonnes were reported as treated, of which 25.5% classified as hazardous waste. Treatment routes included around 72% ‘deposit into and onto land’, 17% recovery (except backfilling) and around 9% incineration with and without energy recovery.
UK Chemical Waste Arisings by Waste Category (2020)
Total Chemical Waste Arisings 2,054.8 thousand tonnes (2020). Data source: [1]
Chemical Waste Arisings by Economic Classification
Economic Classification | UK 2020 | England 2020 | England 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
Agricultural | 201.30 | 125.53 | 124.09 |
Mining & Quarrying | 74.47 | 0.91 | 0.78 |
Manufacturing | 1,475.60 | 1,133.24 | 904.78 |
Water Treatment | 15.06 | 11.67 | 9.87 |
Services | 269.99 | 171.01 | 161.51 |
Households | 14.85 | 10.83 | 11.93 |
Construction | 3.53 | 0 | 0 |
Total Arisings | 2,054.80 | 1,453.18 | 1,212.95 |
England as % of UK | 70.7% |
All figures in thousand tonnes, Data source [1]
Purpose
This category brings together those materials that are general Chemical Wastes and have a high proportion which are classified as hazardous waste.
Approach
This category sets out the EWC-STAT codes that are reported and grouped in WikiWaste as Chemical Wastes as reported in DEFRA data[1].
