When it comes to managing animal by-product waste, strict regulations and best practices must be followed to ensure safety, compliance, and environmental sustainability. This storage of animal by-products guide will provide you with essential information on how to store animal by-product waste correctly, the importance of separation, and the role of licensed waste carriers in the process.
Understanding Animal By-Products
Animal by-products are materials derived from animals that are not intended for human consumption. These can include everything from offal to blood and other tissues. Proper management of these materials is crucial not only for health and safety but also for environmental protection.
Categories of Animal By-Products
Animal by-products are classified into three categories:
- Category 1 Material: This is material that is deemed hazardous and must be disposed of only through incineration or other approved methods.
- Category 2 Material: This type is not suitable for animal consumption and requires specific disposal methods.
- Category 3 Material: While this material is not for human consumption, it can be processed into finished products.
Understanding these categories will help you manage your waste effectively.
Separation and Storage Requirements
One of the most critical aspects of managing animal by-product waste is ensuring that it is stored separately from other types of waste. Here’s what you need to know:
Keep It Separated
You must keep each category of animal by-product waste separate from one another as well as from general waste. This separation helps prevent contamination and ensures compliance with health regulations.
Use Appropriate Containers
All animal by-product waste must be stored in clean, sealed, leak-proof containers. Each container should be clearly labelled according to its category:
- Category 3 Material – Not For Human Consumption
- Category 2 Material – Not For Animal Consumption
- Category 1 Material – For Disposal Only
This labelling helps ensure that everyone handling the materials knows how to treat them appropriately.
Avoid Contamination
It’s imperative that animal by-products are stored in a manner that prevents contamination with other foodstuffs or exposure to animals or wild birds. This means keeping storage areas secure and well-maintained.
Using Authorised Waste Carriers
When it comes time for collection, using an authorised waste carrier is non-negotiable. Ensure that the carrier you choose complies with all relevant legislation regarding the transport and processing of animal by-products.
Completing Commercial Documents
Before transferring any animal by-product waste, you must complete a commercial document detailing:
- The date the material was removed
- A description of the material
- The name and address of both the waste carrier and receiver
It’s essential to note that a commercial document differs from a standard waste transfer note or hazardous waste consignment note; therefore, understanding this distinction is vital.
Record Keeping
Keep copies of all documents related to your animal by-product management for at least two years as they may be required during inspections.
Cleaning Procedures
After each collection, it’s crucial to clean and disinfect containers used for storing animal by-products thoroughly. This practice helps maintain hygiene standards and reduces any risk associated with cross-contamination.
Emergency Planning
Having an emergency plan in place can save significant amounts of material in case something goes wrong—such as a freezer breakdown or product recall. Quick action can prevent large quantities of valuable resources from being destroyed unnecessarily.
Disposal Guidelines
You must never send packaging significantly contaminated with animal by-product material (e.g., bloodstains) to landfill; such items should also be treated as animal by-products during disposal.
Food Waste Collection Services
At Martlands, we offer a comprehensive food waste collection service designed to ensure your food scraps do not end up in landfill but instead are reused sustainably. The collected food waste goes through our anaerobic digestion facility where microorganisms break it down into biogas—a renewable energy source—and nutrient-rich fertiliser suitable for agricultural use.
Martlands’ Commitment
Martlands is a licensed processor capable of handling all three categories of animal by-products (ABPs). Our specialised vehicles collect your materials professionally before transporting them to our dedicated processing plant where they meet stringent environmental guidelines.
We pride ourselves on providing an efficient service compliant with all relevant legislation concerning environmental safety while ensuring nothing goes to waste—especially Category 3 materials which we process into finished products used across various industries.
Proper storage and management practices surrounding animal by-products are essential for compliance with regulations while promoting sustainability within our communities. By following this Storage Of Animal By-Products Guide, you can ensure safe handling practices while contributing positively towards environmental protection efforts through responsible disposal methods via licensed carriers like Martlands.
For more information about our services or if you have any questions regarding the storage of animal by-products safely and legally, please do not hesitate to call us today on 01704 776977!
Category 1 Animal By Product Collection
