Waste & spills
The 6 R's of chemical waste management
The best chemical waste is the waste you never create. The 6 R's put the options in order, from most preferred to least.
The waste management hierarchy is built into Ugandan law. Section 96 of the National Environment Act Cap. 181 requires anyone who generates or handles waste to manage it according to the principles of the circular economy and the waste management hierarchy. The 6 R's are a practical way to apply that to chemicals.
| Priority | R | What it means for chemicals | Site example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Refuse | Do not bring in chemicals you do not need | Reject a contractor's request for a solvent degreaser when a water-based one works |
| 2 | Reduce | Buy and use smaller quantities | Order only what will be used before expiry; avoid bulk "just in case" stock |
| 3 | Reuse | Use the same material again for its original purpose | Return empty drums and IBCs to the supplier for refilling |
| 4 | Repurpose | Use the material for a different, safe purpose | Clean, compatible containers reused for the same waste stream |
| 5 | Recycle | Reprocess into new material | Send used oil, batteries and scrap metal to licensed recyclers |
| 6 | Recover | Extract energy or useful material | Energy recovery from waste oil or solvents at licensed facilities |
Only what is left after the 6 R's should go to treatment or final disposal: neutralisation, incineration or engineered landfill.
Waste minimisation in practice
- Inventory control: keep registers up to date, and use first-in, first-out so stock does not expire.
- Smart purchasing: buy the smallest practical quantities; choose suppliers that take back containers and unused product.
- Substitution: fewer hazardous inputs mean fewer hazardous outputs.
- Spill prevention: every spill avoided is contaminated absorbent that never needs disposal.
- Segregation at source: keeping streams separate stops a small amount of hazardous waste from contaminating a large amount of ordinary waste.
Why it pays. Hazardous waste is expensive to store, transport and destroy, and it carries legal liability until it is disposed of. Cutting it at the source lowers cost, reduces risk and supports environmental commitments in ESIA certificates and corporate policies.
What to do
- Review your largest hazardous waste streams and ask which R could reduce each one.
- Add expiry dates and stock limits to the chemical register.
- Write take-back of containers and surplus into supply contracts.
How INRC can help
Our sustainability advisory service helps organisations cut waste at the source through smarter purchasing, substitution and take-back arrangements. For food and other organic waste, see our organic waste management service. Contact us to discuss your site.
This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Check current legislation and regulations for your specific project.