Burning construction wastes
What you must do
If you burn waste in the open on your site you may require a waste management licence or exemption.
You may qualify for an exemption to burn certain waste plant tissue and untreated wood if:
- you burn the waste at the place where it was produced
- you burn up to 10 tonnes in a 24-hour period.
The exemption you may require is a paragraph 30 exemption.
If you have an exemption, you must comply with its conditions.
You must register this exemption with your environmental regulator.
You must still ensure that your activity does not:
- endanger human health or cause pollution to water, air or soil
- constitute a risk to plants or animals
- cause a nuisance in terms of noise, dust, fumes, smoke and odour
- adversely affect the countryside or places of special interest.
NIEA: Paragraph 30 - Burning waste on land in the open
SEPA: Waste management licensing exemptions (Paragraph 30)
If you are disposing of waste by burning it in an incinerator or other similar plant, you will need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit.
Pollution prevention and control permits
The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) has produced detailed guidance for the construction sector. This is free to download.
CECA: Waste classification and permitting in construction