Environmental Permitting Regulations and the use of quality compost on agricultural land Katrina Simcox Senior Environment Officer 4th November 2010
Agenda Overview Composting Landspreading Registering an exemption Applying for a permit Compost Quality Protocol Summary
Our position on composting Composting has a vital role diverting wastes from landfill recovering value from them organic C & nutrients, soil conditioner & fertiliser
Regulating compost Producing compost from waste - waste recovery Spreading compost - waste recovery Exemptions Low risk Small volumes Permits Compost Quality Protocol when compost isn t waste
New Regulations April 2010 Applies if you re bring waste onto your farm If own waste 1 October 2013 If you were registered as of 5 April 2010 Composting under Paragraph 12 Transitional provision to October 2011 Can only spread if registered paragraph 7 in place Landspreading under Paragraph 7 Transitional provision to October 2012
6 th April 2010 1 st Oct 2011 1 st Oct 2012 1 st Oct 2013 New Applicants Non Ag Paragraph 9 12 and 19 Non Ag Para 7 Ag Waste on Ag land Other non Ag Waste on Ag land
What is an exemption? New system since April 2010 Easy to understand U, T, D, S Limit amount of waste Limit types of waste Strict controls Must be registered with us If you can t comply - need to apply for a permit
What is a permit? Standard Rules Permits Set rules or conditions Restricted by location Management requirements & compliance visits Fixed charges Bespoke Permits Specific to your site More expensive & take longer
Composting Aerobic Composting (T23) exemption Three Standard Rules Permits One SRP out at consultation Bespoke permits
Aerobic Composting (T23) (EPR 2010) Up to 80 tonnes of your own waste to be spread on your own land OR up to 60 tonnes of: someone else s waste or compost that is to be spread somewhere else Limited waste types Stable sanitised material Can be spread to land under an exemption
Standard Rules Permits for composting Requires planning permission Fixed waste streams Restricted by location 250 metres from any dwelling or workplace 500 metres from a European Site or SSSI Set distances from watercourses, boreholes & wells
Standard Rule Permits Composting 1. Closed vessels with biofilters 2. Open windrows 3. Up to 500 tonnes on hardstanding 4. Consultation - Up to 500 tonnes that can be spread under U10 exemption
Spreading compost to land Spreading waste on agricultural land (U10) Mobile plant Standard Rules Permit Deployment forms Compost Quality Protocol
Spreading waste on agricultural land (U10) Specified wastes Benefit to soil Compost produced pursuant to T23 Up to 50 tonnes per hectare per 12 months 500 tonnes storage for 12 months Must keep records unless in NVZ area
Standard Rules Permits for landspreading Mobile Plant Permit Granted to an operator for England and Wales No planning permission required Deployment forms site specific risk assessment
Deployment forms Similar to paragraph 7 exemptions 50 hectares per deployment 25 working days before activity to commence Fee for each deployment Fee depends on risk based matrix Waste type Location
Registering an exemption Exemptions are free Valid for 3 years Must be able to comply read the guidance On-line registration Post
Applying for a permit Pre-application talks Standard rule vs bespoke permit Guidance & standard forms Planning permission (Site-based permits only) Technical Competence Annual Subsistence Surrender
How much does composting cost? Standard rules permit Application 1,590 Subsistence Over 500 tonnes 2,420 Under 500 tonnes 760 Depends on compliance Surrender Over 500 tonnes 3,500 Under 500 tonnes 1,500 Bespoke permit (Illustration >5,000 tonnes) Application 7,515 Subsistence 1,660 Depends on compliance Surrender 5,490
How much does spreading compost cost? Standard rules permit application 700 Deployments assessed on risk High: 970; Medium: 760; Low: 400 Spreading compost: Green waste compost Low or Medium risk Other compost Medium risk Surrender Free but have to apply
Compost Quality Protocol Voluntary QP compost ceases to be waste QP compost can be spread without an EPR permit / exemption If compost does not comply with the Quality Protocol Regarded as waste until it has been applied to land Requires a permit / exemption.
Summary T23 Exemption Free COMPOSTING Standard Rule Permit Bespoke Permit Possible in future? U10 Exemption Free Standard Rule Permit Compost Quality Protocol Deployment Form SPREADING
Any Questions?