Some items cannot be disposed of with general waste or recycling due to the harm they (or the substances / materials they contain) may cause to people, wildlife, or the environment. This waste is known as hazardous waste and must be dealt with by accredited professionals.

Examples of hazardous waste include:

• Batteries & fluorescent tubes
• Clinical waste
• Pesticides
• Solvents & adhesives
• Asbestos
• Oils (except edible oils)
• Chemicals
• Pressurised cylinders & other ozone-depleting substances
• Hazardous waste containers
• Radioactive materials

Contact us to find out if your waste is hazardous or POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) waste or see the UK government guidance.

With over 50 years of experience, WM101 specialises in the secure storing, collection, transportation, and treatment of hazardous waste – helping clients implement a robust hazardous waste disposal scheme throughout their organisation.

We pride ourselves on our end-to-end service, supporting businesses through a national network of accredited collectors for both solid and liquid hazardous waste disposal and recycling. We can advise on your legal obligations, offering a fully tracked hazardous waste collection service to ensure compliance with the latest legislation.

Radioactive waste is an especially sensitive type of hazardous waste that must be handled with the utmost care and compliance. If the high-energy (ionising) radiation emitted from radioactive waste enters our bodies, it can lead to significant health problems, including cancer.

While we are continually exposed to naturally occurring low levels of ionising radiation in our everyday lives and have made the most of its uses in medical equipment (X-rays and CT scans), smoke detectors, and food preservation – large amounts of radiation can quickly increase the risk of harm.

WM101 can help clients manage low-level radioactive waste (LLW), such as paper, rags, tools, clothing, and filters, which often contain small amounts of short-lived radioactivity in medical or industrial settings. As part of the hazardous waste disposal process, these materials will usually be sent for incineration in an authorised LLW facility.