[holding answer 29 January 2008]: The table shown gives the tonnages of hazardous waste produced in the UK in 2006 (the most recent period for which figures are available), broken down by primary source.
This information is available from the Environment Agency’s website using the free online ‘hazardous waste interrogator’ web-tool.
Source Tonnage Mining and Minerals 38,281 Agricultural and Food Production 1,350 Wood and Paper Production 3,790 Leather and Textile Production 2,551 Petrol, Gas and Coal Refining/Treatment 27,368 Inorganic Chemical Processes 128,767 Organic Chemical Processes 2,093,000 MFSU Paints, Varnish, Adhesive and Inks 117,886 Photographic Industry 20,495 Thermal Process Waste (inorganic) 156,189 Metal Treatment and Coating Processes 134,325 Shaping/Treatment of Metals and Plastics 72,784 Oil and Oil/Water Mixtures 879,961 Solvents 24,035 Packaging, Cloths, Filter materials 61,108 Not otherwise specified 557,287 C and D Waste and Asbestos 705,307 Healthcare 142,305 Waste/Water Treatment and Water Industry 654,939 Municipal and Similar Commercial Wastes 215,339 Unclassified — Total 6,037,068