Integrated Hg waste management
Overview
Integrated mercury waste management incorporates both the question of safe storage and disposal of mercury stocks, and the remediation of mercury waste. There is considerable potential to remediate mercury sources in the industrial and waste sectors, and with the introduction of the EU export ban on mercury expected in 2011, the question of storage of national mercury stocks is pertinent and timely.
Objectives
To provide an independent assessment of the various safe storage and disposal options and their economics for the UK.
Team
* Dr John Holmes (Lead)
* Dr Bruce Howard
* Dr Murray Gardner
Output
A policy briefing and short report incorporating an appraisal of storage and disposal options and their economics for the UK government and relevant departments.
Outcomes
International awareness of UK remediation and decommissioning capability, with opportunities for technology transfer to other countries with mercury contamination challenges and storage requirments.
Activties
A workshop was held at St Anne’s College, University of Oxford on 13 & 14 October 2009 to consider the scientific and engineering issues associated with ensuring the safe storage and disposal of redundant mercury.
Presentations from the workshop are now available.
A two page policy briefing document has been prepared by the organisers of the workshop in order to inform public policy representatives about the main issues arising in the discussions of technical aspects of mercury storage and disposal. It contains recommendations for key activities that need to be carried out before public policy is set.
