Guidance

Hazardous waste and treatment: examples for your adapting to climate change risk assessment

Updated 17 May 2023

Applies to England

Possible impacts and mitigation measures to consider when preparing your climate change risk assessment.

Summer daily maximum temperature

This may be around 7°C higher compared to average summer temperatures now, with the potential to reach extreme temperatures as high as over 40°C with increasing frequency based on today’s values.

Impact 1

Greater potential for increased waste reactions and fires involving heat-sensitive or combustible waste.

The mitigation for this could be to:

• make sure heat-sensitive wastes are stored in protected areas, for example, in shaded buildings or under cover
• make sure there is appropriate segregation and separation of wastes
• do waste compatibility tests in line with Environment Agency guidance
• regularly inspect waste storage areas
• provide, test and maintain appropriate fire detection and firefighting measures
• allow sufficient space for expansion of gases

Impact 2

There could be an increase in high temperature expansion and stress of plant, pipework and fittings.

The mitigation for this could be to conduct regular inspection and preventative maintenance of site and plant or equipment.

Impact 3

Potential increased dust emissions from, for example, external hazardous waste soil treatment areas.

The mitigation for this could be:

• regular site inspection and cleaning
• use of dust suppression systems

Winter daily maximum temperature

This could be 4°C more than the current average with the potential for more extreme temperatures, both warmer and colder than present.

Impact 1

Lower winter temperatures could increase risk of pipework and other external equipment freezing.

The mitigation for this could be:

• regular inspection and preventative maintenance of site and plant or equipment
• providing in-line heating for high risk infrastructure
• relocating high risk waste and infrastructure inside a building, where possible

Impact 2

Lower winter temperatures could reduce the performance of effluent treatment plant (ETP).

The mitigation for this could be to make sure:

• the ETP has sufficient storage and treatment capacity
• the performance of the ETP and the quality of treated effluent is monitored regularly

Daily extreme rainfall

Daily rainfall intensity could increase by up to 20% on today’s values.

Impact 1

Potential for increased site surface water and flooding.

The mitigation for this could be to prepare flood plan with reference to the guidance Preparing for flooding: A guide for sites regulated under EPR and COMAH.

You should also make sure:

• suitable measures are in place for the management of anticipated surface water and flood waters
• the site drainage system and effluent treatment plant has sufficient storage or treatment capacity
• drainage systems are inspected and maintained

Impact 2

There is potential for increased incidents involving water-reactive wastes.

The mitigation for this could be to make sure:

• external areas where wastes are handled or stored are provided with contained drainage
• water reactive wastes are stored in appropriate packaging and in a building or under cover

Average winter rainfall

Average winter rainfall may increase by over 40% on today’s averages.

Impact 1

This could lead to increased site surface water and localised site flooding.

The mitigation for this would be to prepare flood plan with reference to the guidance Preparing for flooding: A guide for sites regulated under EPR and COMAH.

The plan should include:

• risk assessment of process equipment and services at greatest risk from flooding
• provision of emergency pumps to remove floodwater and identification of lowest risk location for discharge of floodwaters
• protection of control and electrical systems
• identification and protection of flat bottom tanks at risk of floating in floodwater

Impact 2

There is potential for increased incidents involving water-reactive wastes.

The mitigation for this could include making sure:

• external areas where wastes are handled or stored are provided with impermeable surfacing and contained drainage, and that these are in good condition
• water reactive wastes are stored in appropriate packaging in a building or under cover

Sea level rise

Sea level rise which could be as much as 0.6m higher compared to today’s level.

Impact 1

If located near the coast, a site could experience increased:

• risk of flooding and associated impacts as identified above
• corrosion due to increase in saltwater spray

The mitigation for this would be to prepare flood plan with reference to the guidance Preparing for flooding: A guide for sites regulated under EPR and COMAH.

The plan should include:

• risk assessment of process equipment and services at greatest risk from flooding
• provision of emergency pumps to remove floodwater and identification of lowest risk location for discharge of floodwaters
• protection of control and electrical systems
• identification and protection of flat bottom tanks at risk of floating in floodwater

Measures could include making sure that plant or equipment prone to corrosion are protected, such as through:

• painting with resistant coating
• regular inspection and maintenance

Impact 2

There could be localised issues with surface water discharge leading to backing up and worsening site flooding.

The mitigation for this could be to:

• monitor and review the situation
• consider site-specific flood defence measures depending on level of risk

Drier summers

Summers could see potentially up to 40% less rain than now.

Impact 1

Potential increased use or reliance on mains water for dust suppression and cleaning and provision of fire water.

The mitigation for this could be to make sure:

• measures are in place to review and minimise water use and to maximise collection and use of rainfall
• mains water capacity is adequate, taking into account reduced availability of rainwater for activities such as dust suppression, cleaning and fighting fires

River flow

The flow in the watercourses could be 50% more than now at its peak, and 80% less than now at its lowest.

Impact 1

There is potential increased impact of discharge to watercourse from on-site effluent treatment plant due to reduced low flow and effluent dilution.

The mitigation could include:

• reviewing the environmental risk assessment for discharge to water from on-site effluent treatment
• checking the existing environmental risk assessment to make sure low river flow used in the assessment remains valid – if not, discuss with Environment Agency (local site inspector or water quality team) and do an updated environmental risk assessment
• reviewing and improving the effluent treatment process if added impact is predicted for the receiving watercourse

Storms

Storms could see a change in frequency and intensity. The unique combination of increased wind speeds, increased rainfall, and lightning during these events provides the potential for more extreme storm impacts

Storms and high winds could damage building structures with increased potential for fugitive emissions.

The mitigation could include:

• reviewing the design of vulnerable structures and buildings
• reviewing wind loading calculations, providing reinforcement if necessary
• maintaining building integrity