Waste Classification

Waste Classification guidelines:
The South African waste classification regulation GNR 634 requires all generators of HAZARDOUS waste to classify their waste for road transport requirements.
Below are a few guidelines for you to consider prior to classification, Waste must be classified according to GHS – SANS 10234 “South African National Standard Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)”
• Waste must be classified within 180 days of generation
• Any waste that has been treated must be re-classified
• Waste must be re-classified if there is modification to the process or activity that generated the waste,
Wastes listed in Annexure 1 below do not need to be classified in terms of SANS 10234
Annexure 1 -do not need to be classified in terms of SANS 10234:
Domestic waste
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Business waste not containing hazardous waste or chemicals
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Uncontaminated building and demolition waste
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Waste tyres
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Garden waste
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Post consumer packaging
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Non-infectious animal carcasses
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Uncontaminated, excavated earth
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Hazardous Waste 2(b)
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Asbestos waste
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PCB waste or PCB containing waste
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Expired, spoilt or unusable hazardous products
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General waste (excluding domestic waste) which contains hazardous waste or hazardous chemicals
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Mixed hazardous chemical waste from analytical or academic laboratories in containers less than 100 litres
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Health care risk waste
General Requirements:
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Generators must ensure their waste is re-used, recycled, recovered, treated and/or disposed of within 18 months of generation
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Waste managers must not store waste for more than 18 months from the date of receipt of the waste
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Waste that was stored in an existing facility prior to promulgation of the Regulations must be re-used, recycled, recovered, treated or disposed of within 5 years of the commencement of the Regulations.
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Waste may not be diluted to solely to reduce the concentration of its constituents for purposes of classification or assessment for landfill disposal
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Waste containers must be labelled, or where labelling is not possible, records must be kept, reflecting:
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Category of waste as per the Waste Information Regulations, 2012
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Date of containerisation
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Date when container was filled, sealed or covered
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Classification of the waste.
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Waste Treatment
Waste may not be mixed or treated where this would
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Reduce the potential for re-use, recycling or recovery -Or – Where the treatment is not controlled
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May blend or pre-treat the waste to – Encourage the re-use, recycling, recovery or treatment, or
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Reduce the risk of the waste
SDS generation
Generators of hazardous waste must ensure a safety data sheet is prepared and accompanies the waste at all times
• Holders of hazardous waste (excluding HCRW) must be in possession of the relevant SDS for the waste
• Contents of SDS as per SANS 10234:
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Source and composition of waste
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Hazard’s identification
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Physical and chemical properties
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Toxicological and ecological effects
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Transport
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Disposal options
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First aid/fire-fighting measures
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Handling and storage
Consequences and deadlines
Landfills are instructed not to receive wastes that aren’t classified; The deadline which was in August 2016, was to have all waste excluding waste listed in Annexure 1 above classified according to the new regulations.
If you require a full waste classification for a hazardous waste stream, please contact us at admin@henquewaste.co.za
Additional info you might find valuable:
SAWIS /GWIS Registration guidelines:
The South African Waste Information Regulation GRN 625 (NEMA (59/2008). states that all HAZARDOUS WASTE generators must register onto the system. Effective since 13 Aug 2012. These regulations don’t apply if you only generate general waste.
Trigger for generators – Generators of hazardous waste in excess of 20kg per day.
Here are the steps below:
Go to http://sawic.environment.gov.za click on central registry or http://www.gwis.gpg.gov.za/pages/display/register
1 If you want to read about who should register – click who should register.
2 You can also select to confirm you aren’t registered before completing the registration process.
3 Select Register
4 Select the drop down and select your and .
5 Complete the registration form and click on the button.
6 If you wish to review information or add another activity, click on
7 Click
8 Once Registration is completed you will receive an email to notify you that your registration is
awaiting authorisation.
9 You will be sent a second email upon the approval of your registration. This will contain the unique registration number, a username and password, which may be used to log onto the website to
update or amend information as and when required.
10 Final step: Obtain SAWIS certificate
What happens if you do not register?
The waste regulation GNR 625 stipulates that all HAZARDOUS WASTE generators must comply and failing to comply or providing incorrect/misleading information, if convicted, will result in:
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Imprisonment for a period not exceeding fifteen (15) years;
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An appropriate fine;
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or both a fine and imprisonment
Further to this, hazardous waste management facilities refuse to accept waste from generators without a valid WIS number which means waste cannot be removed off site.
Hazardous Waste:
What is Hazardous Waste?
Definition according to NEMWA (National Environmental Management Waste Act):
"hazardous waste" means any waste that contains organic or inorganic elements or compounds that may, owing to the inherent physical, chemical or toxicological characteristics of that waste, have a detrimental impact on health and the environment;
"general waste" means waste that does not pose an immediate hazard or threat to health or to the environment, and includes—
(a) domestic waste;
(b) building and demolition waste;
(c) business waste: and
(d) inert waste
Dangerous Goods according to the NRTA 93 of 96 (National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996):
Classification of Dangerous Goods by UN Class
There are nine UN Classes of Dangerous Goods:
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Explosives
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Gases
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Flammable Liquids
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Flammable Solids
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Oxiders
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Toxic and infectious substances
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Radioactives
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Corrosives
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Miscellaneous
Each UN Class and sub-class is represented by a unique hazard diamond
