Environmental guidance for your business in Northern Ireland & Scotland
Waste exemptions for mining or quarrying
You may need to register an exemption with your environmental regulator from waste management licensing if you carry out an exempt waste management activity.
Some exemptions do not need to be registered although you must comply with the exemption's conditions.
Activities exempt from waste management licensing
In Northern Ireland, you can register an exemption under paragraph 33 for keeping or depositing waste from peatworking.
Northern Ireland Environment Agency: Keeping or deposit of waste arising from peatworking
In Scotland, you can register an exemption online under paragraph 33 for keeping and depositing peat waste.
SEPA: Paragraph 33 exemption - Keeping and depositing peat waste
SEPA: Registration form for a simple exemption
Non-extractive waste
Exempt waste operations and exempt waste management activities which may apply to non-extractive waste at mines or quarries include:
| Exempt waste activity or operation | Exemption reference | |
| Northern Ireland | Scotland | |
|
Storing any waste (non-hazardous or hazardous/special) temporarily on the site where it is produced in a secure place for no longer than 12 months. For example, off-cuts. |
Paragraph 41 |
Paragraph 41 |
|
Treating waste on the site where it is produced as long as you don't change the physical, chemical or biological nature of the waste. For example baling, compacting or shredding waste. |
Paragraph 27 |
Paragraph 27 |
You must check whether your registered exemption needs to be renewed. Some registered exemptions last for as long as the activity is carried out while others may only last for 12 months.
If you are not sure whether your waste operation or waste management activity is covered by an exemption, or how long an exemption will last, you should contact your environmental regulator for further advice.
Contact your environmental regulator
Further information on waste exemptions
NIEA: Activities exempt from waste management licensing
SEPA: Activities exempt from waste management licensing
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