Hazardous waste, 2003

Statistics Norway has conducted a new survey for the treatment of hazardous waste at approved plants in Norway. The new survey enables the production of statistics broken down by treatment method, and offers an improved basis for estimating the amount of hazardous waste for which we lack information about handling. This article presents the results of the survey. Previous statistics on hazardous waste have been based on register data ( see previous article 25.06.04 ).

More waste go to approved treatment

In 2003, 150 enterprises treated hazardous waste as approved by the authorities. Transporters and collectors of hazardous waste are not included in this figure, but landfills for non-hazardous waste licensed to handle certain types of hazardous waste are included. In addition, 18 enterprises exported their hazardous waste. In total, these companies handled 782 000 tonnes of hazardous waste.

In 2003, 65 per cent of the hazardous waste was treated or disposed of without making use of its resources (see figure 1). The majority of this type of waste went to specially engineered landfills, usually following a chemical stabilising process.

6per cent of the hazardous waste was recycled in Norway, while 9 per cent was energy recovered. Moreover, 10 per cent was exported, some of which was recycled. Several types of hazardous waste, including slag and blasting grit, are not suitable for recycling and energy recovery. This is probably the main reason why a relatively small amount of the hazardous waste is recycled or energy recovered.

The results of the survey show that the amount of hazardous waste treated as approved must be adjusted upwards by about 90 000 tonnes compared with Statistics Norway's previous estimates. It must also be assumed that the total amount of hazardous waste generated in 2003 was higher than the previous estimates showed. At the same time, the results indicate that the amount of hazardous waste for which the method of handling is unknown may be lower than the previously estimated. Poor registration of hazardous waste sent to approved treatment is assumed to be the main explanation for the discrepancies. Final figures for total hazardous waste and unknown handling will be available in the next release.

Data uncertainty

Some enterprises are licensed to drain water from waste containing oil, but these are not included in the survey (see "About the statistics"). Furthermore, the figures are uncertain due to fluctuations in the waste stock at the treatment plants. However, it is assumed that these uncertainties point upwards and that the amount of hazardous waste treated as approved is somewhat in excess of 782 000 tonnes.

The survey is conducted with support from the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority. Other statistics on hazardous waste and related waste statistics are available at StatBank Norway .

Tables:

• Table 1 Hazardous waste collected for approved treatment, by treatment/disposal operation and material. 2003