Hazardous waste, 1999-2001

Hazardous waste is waste with a serious potential of injury to human health or pollution to the environment. It is therefore of high importance that such waste is being handled securely. To ensure secure handling the authorities introduced the hazardous waste regulation in 1984. This regulation defines and classifies hazardous waste, and regulates storing, delivering and handling of such waste. All kinds of hazardous wastes must undergo approved treatment and must be reported to the authorities.

In spite of this, substantial amounts of the hazardous waste escape control from the authorities. This may be due partly to incomplete reporting from waste handlers, which is not environmentally hazardous, and partly to illegal disposal.

More hazardous waste

About 684 000 tonnes of hazardous waste was generated in 2001, which is 34 000 tonnes more than in 1999. Corrosive waste, waste containing heavy metals and waste containing oil, were the dominant material types.

Apparent changes in some of the industries are probably to a great extent due to improved basic data.

Better control with waste containing oil

The part of the hazardous waste which was given unknown treatment, and thus escaped control by the authorities, decreased substantially from 1999 to 2001. Most of the reduction is found by waste containing oil.

Revised calculations, preliminary figures

The data basis for the statistics is improved since 1999, especially with respect to waste containing oil. This caused the estimate of waste to unknown treatment in 1999 to rise by about 11 500 tonnes.

Figures for 2000 and 2001 are preliminary and should be used with some caution.

Tables:

• Table 1 Hazardous waste generated, by material. 1999-2001. Tonnes
• Table 2 Hazardous waste given unknown treatment. By material.1999-2001. Tonnes
• Table 3 Hazardous waste generated, by source of origin. 1999-2001. Tonnes