Using scrap metal when manufacturing MEEE
This guidance is relevant if your business uses scrap metal in manufacturing or assembling machinery or electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).
What you must do
Comply with your authorisation
If you have an authorisation you must comply with its conditions. Your authorisation will be either a:
- permit, licence or exemption, in Northern Ireland
- an EASR authorisation, in Scotland
Your authorisation may contain conditions controlling your noise, odour or air emissions. You can be fined or even sent to prison if you do not comply with conditions.
Check if your scrap metal is contaminated or hazardous
Examine all scrap material you buy or use to check if it is contaminated or hazardous.
Contaminants include radioactive materials, plastic, rubber and oil. For information on how to check for radioactive sources, see our guidance on radioactive substances.
Some of your scrap metal may be classed as hazardous/special waste. For example, metal in waste oil filters, spent battery casings, metal containers with hazardous contents or mercury in fluorescent tubes.
You must comply with special controls for hazardous/special waste. For more information, see our guidance on hazardous/special waste.
Comply with import and export regulation
If you transport scrap metal into or out of the UK, you must comply with regulations on the international shipment of waste. For more information see our guidance on importing and exporting waste.
Good practice
Be a good operator
Set up a scrap management system. This will help you identify and separate out contaminants such as radioactive materials, plastic, rubber and oil.
Use non-chlorinated cutting fluids for all applications, especially where you might recycle the scrap material.
Prevent land and water pollution
Store your oil-contaminated scrap on concrete pads.
Install drainage systems in your storage areas that are isolated from your general drainage and are fitted with an oil interceptor or an alternative water treatment system.
Get your oil interceptor inspected and serviced regularly.
Check if you need permission from your environmental regulator or your < water company or authority to discharge the wastewater from your oil interceptor.
GPP 3 Use and design of oil separators in surface water drainage systems