With today’s stringent legislation regarding the handling and treatment of waste, companies are all too often faced with the question of whether their waste is hazardous or not. The necessary paper work is daunting to say the least!

Mr. Ilpo Penttinen shows conference participants the magic of the HWIT

HAZTRAIN, an initiative led by the Clean Technology Centre, Cork, Ireland, is a project which TENVORS can be proud of. After nearly two and a half years of hard work, the HWIT (Hazardous Waste Identification Tool) is a detailed, but user-friendly web based product which simplifies complex and wide ranging EU legislation.

The HWIT - How it works

The tool takes a step-by-step approach to the identification of the hazardous components of any given waste in accordance with EU law. The tool guides the user through three intuitive steps, the programming then does the rest.

The first stage is to find the correct code from the European Waste Catalogue (EWC) - this alone can help to determine if the waste is hazardous, using a simple set of 'yes' or 'no' options from the 20 chapters of the EWC.

The second possible stage, classifiying by the composition of the waste, involves the entry of information about one or more components of the waste (from a searchable database of known substances which is provided) and its percentage content. The tool (in the background) adds the relevant percentages with the same propoerties (designated by symbols, indications of danger and risk phrases/R-phrases). It then compares these totals to the concentration limits (if any) for these properties that are laid down in the legislation. These calculations enable the waste to be classified.

A third possible step involves using the properties of the waste. The tool offers a list of possible property tests that are required by legislation. If some of these have been carried out, the user will indicate which ones and enter the respective results and conclusions that can be based on the results of these tests. The tool then stores these results.

Based upon the results of one or more of these 3 steps, the HWIT will then present the user with a complete report, including all relevant information, recording the processes used and the results of the identification. This can then be printed and presented by the waste producer or waste management company to the appropriate agency or authority for inspection.

Who should use the tool

The tool can be used by waste producers, waste management firms, consultants or regulators to simplify and clarify this difficult and complex process. The tool provides an easily verified and detailed report on the choices taken during the process and the information entered into the tool.

The launch at ISWA

The first week of October saw the 2006 international congress of ISWA (International Solid Waste Association – www.iswa.org) taking place in Copenhagen. With 680 delegates from 50 countries world-wide, this event was the perfect occasion to officially launch the HWIT. Thanks to the excellent work of hosting organisation Dakofa, the HWIT was able to take a high profile. Presented to participants during a special workshop at Denmark’s waste treatment plant, Kommunekemi, the HWIT was well received and often acclaimed as “that is exactly what we need!”

Complementary training modules

Along with the Hazardous Waste Identification Tool, the partners have developed training modules to aid companies in dealing with their hazardous waste.