Hi, I’m Rachel Brakes Manager and Sole Proprietor of Yorkshire Waste Permitting based in South Yorkshire, with 12 years experience in waste management and legislation. Yorkshire Waste Permitting provide technical advice and environmental permitting support to all waste sectors. I previously worked for the Environment Agency for 10 years as their Technical Specialist in waste permitting and more recently I worked for CO2Sense as their Planning & Permitting Project Manager before leaving in December 2010 to start my new venture! I would like to keep you informed of the recent legislation changes which relate to plastic recycling and reprocessing through this blog. If you need any further information I am happy for you to e-mail me at info@yorkshirewastepermitting.co.uk. Alternatively if you would like to leave a comment on this blog I will do my very best to respond.
New regulations which came into effect on 6 April 2010 will affect anyone who stores, recycles or reprocess plastic. Who is affected? • Any business or individual which hold a registered exemption for an existing recycling/reprocessing activity • Any business or individual wishing to carry out a new plastic recycling/reprocessing activity Why the change? The Environment Agency and DEFRA have decided that some existing exempt activities are considered a higher risk because they have a potentially negative impact on the environment and human health. Therefore these activities they consider would be better controlled by an environmental permit. They have also recognised that some waste activities have been over regulated in the past and have therefore revised the whole exemption system. Is my business affected? If you can meet the criteria of any of the following exemptions given in the link below then you are able to register with the Environment Agency free of charge. However if the criteria cannot be met then it is likely that an Environmental Permit will be required to continue operating. Please feel free to ask any questions on this blog and I will be happy to advise. New Exemptions Click Here Exemptions specific to Plastic Recyclers/Reprocessors Treatment T1 Cleaning, washing, spraying or coating of relevant waste T4 Preparatory treatments (baling, sorting, shredding etc T10 Sorting mixed waste Use U3 Use of waste in the construction of entertainment or educational installations etc U9 Use of waste to manufacture finished goods Storage S1 Storage of waste in secure containers S2 Storage of waste in a secure place These do not require registration with an authority Temporary storage of waste at place of production Temporary storage of waste at a place controlled by the producer Temporary storage at a collection point
New regulations which came into effect on 6 April 2010 will affect anyone who stores, recycles or reprocess plastic.
Who is affected?
• Any business or individual which hold a registered exemption for an existing recycling/reprocessing activity
• Any business or individual wishing to carry out a new plastic recycling/reprocessing activity
Why the change?
The Environment Agency and DEFRA have decided that some existing exempt activities are considered a higher risk because they have a potentially negative impact on the environment and human health. Therefore these activities they consider would be better controlled by an environmental permit. They have also recognised that some waste activities have been over regulated in the past and have therefore revised the whole exemption system.
Is my business affected?
If you can meet the criteria of any of the following exemptions given in the link below then you are able to register with the Environment Agency free of charge. However if the criteria cannot be met then it is likely that an Environmental Permit will be required to continue operating. Please feel free to ask any questions on this blog and I will be happy to advise.
New Exemptions Click Here
Exemptions specific to Plastic Recyclers/Reprocessors
Treatment
T1 Cleaning, washing, spraying or coating of relevant waste
T4 Preparatory treatments (baling, sorting, shredding etc
T10 Sorting mixed waste
Use
U3 Use of waste in the construction of entertainment or educational installations etc
U9 Use of waste to manufacture finished goods
Storage
S1 Storage of waste in secure containers
S2 Storage of waste in a secure place
These do not require registration with an authority
Temporary storage of waste at place of production
Temporary storage of waste at a place controlled by the producer
Temporary storage at a collection point