As a skip hire company, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest regulations, especially when it comes to hazardous waste. Recently, there have been new regulations put in place regarding Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which are toxic chemicals that can have harmful effects on human health and the environment. In this blog post, we’ll explain what these new regulations are and how they affect skip hire companies like ours.

What are POPs?

POPs are a group of chemicals that are resistant to degradation and can persist in the environment for long periods of time. They can be transported over long distances and accumulate in the environment, including in the food chain. Some examples of POPs include DDT (a pesticide), PCBs (industrial chemicals), and dioxins (by-products of industrial processes).

What are the new POPs regulations?

The new POPs regulations are part of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which is an international treaty that aims to reduce and eliminate the production, use, and release of POPs. The latest round of regulations, which came into effect on January 1st, 2022, focuses on nine new POPs that have been added to the list of regulated chemicals. These new POPs include:

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and its salts

Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD)

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and its derivatives

What do these new regulations mean for skip hire companies?

The new regulations mean that skip hire companies need to be extra careful when handling and disposing of these chemicals. If you come across any of these chemicals in the course of your work, you’ll need to follow proper procedures to ensure that they are disposed of safely and in accordance with the regulations. This may include the following items…

• sofas
• sofa beds
• armchairs
• kitchen and dining room chairs
• stools and foot stools
• home office chairs
• futons
• bean bags, floor and sofa cushions

To Summarise

The new POPs regulations are an important step in protecting human health and the environment from the harmful effects of toxic chemicals. As a skip hire company, it’s essential to stay informed about these regulations and to follow proper procedures when handling and disposing of hazardous waste, including the nine new POPs. By doing so, you’ll not only be complying with the law, but also playing a part in protecting public health and the environment.