Some construction and waste management activities could harm the environment or human health unless they are controlled. The FMB Information Services Team highlights some environmental matters concerning waste and energy management that might help you to save money and energy.

BURNING BUILDING WASTE ON SITE:

If you burn waste in the open on your site you will need:

In England and Wales, an environmental permit or exemption www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/businesses/construction/62345.aspx 

In Northern Ireland and Scotland, a waste management license or exemption. www.tinyurl.com/netregs-waste

ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING

Environmental permitting is a risk-based regime for regulating business activities that could have an impact on the environment or human health. It only applies in England and Wales. The system operates with common procedures for appeals, changes and transfers.

WASTE MANAGEMENT LICENSES

Waste management licenses authorise the deposit, disposal and treatment of controlled waste and include conditions on the use of certain mobile plant. If you operate your business in Northern Ireland or Scotland, you may need a waste management license if you:

Operate a landfill

Store other people's waste

Treat waste, carry out recycling or use mobile plant such as a mobile incinerator

Carry out final disposal of waste.

You are unlikely to need a waste management license 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, license or exemption.

In each country you must register as a waste carrier with the appropriate environmental regulator if you transport building, demolition or other controlled waste in your own vehicle.

In England and Wales, if you had a waste exemption registered before 6 April 2010 you may need to register a new exemption from environmental permitting or apply for an environmental permit. Check the Environment Agency's timetable for more information about when you will need to get your new exemption or permit. www.tinyurl.com/enviro-agency

In Northern Ireland and Scotland, Your activity may qualify for an exemption from waste management licensing. Whether you need a license or need to register an exemption will depend on:

How long you store waste

Types and quantities of wastes that you handle

The activities carried out on your site.

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.

In each country, 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 no more than 10 tonnes in any 24-hour period.

For further Information on exemptions in England, Wales, Scotland and NI, visit www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs