Waste exemptions for waste and sewage businesses
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
Exempt waste operations and exempt waste management activities which may apply to waste or sewage businesses include:
| Exemption reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Exempt waste activity or operation | Northern Ireland | Scotland |
| Storing waste in secure containers in certain cases. For example, storing up to 3 cubic metres of waste oil. | Paragraph 18 Must be registered. |
Paragraph 18 Must be registered. |
| Storing waste in a secure place in certain cases. For example, storing up to 500 tonnes of waste plastic for up to 12 months. | Paragraph 17 Must be registered. |
Paragraph 17 Must be registered. |
| Storing sludge in certain cases. For example, storing residual sludge from septic tanks. | Paragraph 10A and 10B Must be registered. |
Paragraph 8 Must be registered. |
| Cleaning, washing, spraying or coating waste in certain cases. For example, paper and cardboard packaging. | Paragraph 6 Must be registered. |
Paragraph 4 Must be registered. |
| Treating waste by baling, sorting, shredding, pulverising, crushing or compacting it. For example, cans and foils, glass and food and drink cartons. | Paragraph 12 Must be registered. |
Paragraph 11 Must be registered. |
| Recovering scrap metal. | Paragraph 45 Must be registered. |
Paragraph 45 Must be registered. |
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