Waste
Household, industrial and commercial wastes are inevitable by-products of developed societies and their disposal frequently raises public concern. While waste avoidance, reduction, reuse and recycling are important management strategies, there is a limit to which components of waste can usefully be recycled and not all recycled materials are of the same quality as those produced from virgin feedstocks. In recent years there have been significant changes both in the amounts and composition of wastes and in the legislation governing treatment and disposal.
CHaPD is a central source of advice to the Department of Health (DH), Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and its agencies on the health effects of chemicals in waste and provides expert advice to the HPA, NHS, Regulators and the public on the public health aspects of waste management.
Waste management includes conventional methods such landfilling and incineration (in collaboration with other experts in the division), as well as the developing treatment methods including composting and cement kilns.
CHaPD works with key partners to develop evidence based positions. Publications on waste management include statements and reviews on municipal waste incineration, substitute fuels in cement kilns, and landfill sites. The division has also provided input to the WHO review of population health and waste management.
