Environmental guidance for your business in Northern Ireland & Scotland
You may need a waste management licence if you:
You may need a waste management licence if you carry out these activities on your land or use a vehicle or mobile plant such as a mobile incinerator.
You are unlikely to need a waste management licence if you only store waste that you produce and an authorised waste carrier removes it from your site regularly. You must check that anyone who handles your waste has the correct permit, licence or exemption.
If you hold a waste management licence you must:
If your waste management licence requires you to submit a waste return you will need to complete the relevant form on your environmental regulator's website.
DAERA: Waste forms
SEPA: Licence permitted site data returns
Your activity may qualify for an exemption from waste management licensing. Whether you need a licence or need to register an exemption will depend on:
If your activity is exempt, you may still need to register it with your environmental regulator. You will still need to comply with controls to prevent pollution and harm to human health.
You must check if you need to register an exemption.
Waste management licensing exemptions
If you collect, transport, store, handle, process or dispose of animal by-products or catering waste that is not intended for human consumption, you must also comply with the animal by-products regulations.
About waste management licences
Waste management licensing exemptions
How do you apply for a waste management licence?
Transferring, modifying, varying and surrendering a waste management licence
Application forms and guidance for waste management licensing
SEPA Special Waste Consignment Notes – updated position, The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is now accepting special waste consignment notes (SWCNs) by email only.
DAERA Waste Policy Tracker, The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has published a Waste policy tracker to stay informed of waste policy developments.
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