Fortnightly Bulletin – 29th July 2024
29 July 2024
Guidance
The definition of waste service has reopened for new submissions
You are now able to ask the Environment Agency (EA) for an opinion on if the regulator considers the material you produce a waste, a by-product or has reached end of waste status.
Source: Gov.uk
For the full guidance, click here.
Storing End of Life Vehicles (ELV’s) at a motor manufacturer’s dealership: RPS 205
This Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) applies to temporarily storing ELV’s at a motor manufacturer’s dealership.
The EA will not normally take enforcement action against you if do not comply with these legal requirements provided the activity meets the description set out in this RPS and you comply with the conditions set out in the RPS.
To use this RPS, you must comply with the following conditions:
- Be registered in an approved ELV collection network and offer free take-back of ELVs.
- Only store up to five ELVs at any one time.
- Store the ELVs on an impermeable surface with sealed drainage.
- Have spill kits on site to deal with any oil, fuel or fluid leaks from the stored ELVs.
- Only dismantle or depollute ELVs if you have an environmental permit allowing this activity.
- Arrange for onward transportation of the ELV to an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) within seven days of receiving it.
- Follow consignment note guidance for moving ELVs to an ATF.
- Keep records for three years that show you have complied with this RPS and make these records available to the EA on request.
The EA intends to review this RPS by 1 December 2026.
Source: Gov.uk
For the full guidance, click here.
Classify excavated waste from street and utility works: RPS 298
This RPS applies to classifying excavated waste produced through road and street works where sampling is not possible before removing the waste from the excavation site.
The EA will not normally take enforcement action against you if do not comply with these legal requirements provided the activity meets the description set out in this RPS and you comply with the conditions set out in the RPS.
This RPS does not apply to hazardous wastes. This includes, but is not limited to, waste:
- with an odour of coal tar or other petroleum hydrocarbons,
- containing visible asbestos or asbestos containing materials.
To use this RPS, you must comply with the following conditions:
- Only use this RPS when you cannot legally access the site to carry out preliminary sampling before you start excavation works.
- Separate the waste by waste code type during excavation and transport (for example, the bituminous layer and the sub-base must be kept separate).
- Move waste to either a site controlled by the producer, or to a suitably permitted site that is complying with RPS 299.
- Include the works permit reference (or work order number) and details of the specific excavation the waste was collected from, and put ‘classified using RPS 298’ in the description on any consignment note or waste transfer note accompanying the waste.
- Keep records of all waste movements for two years (or three years for hazardous waste) to show that you have complied with this RPS and make these records available to the EA on request.
This RPS will expire on 20 March 2025.
Source: Gov.uk
For the full guidance, activities, conditions and, notes click here.
Using whole waste tyres: RPS 301
This RPS does not change your legal requirement to have an environmental permit for a waste operation when you store and use whole waste tyres.
The EA will not normally take enforcement action against you if do not comply with these legal requirements provided the activity meets the description set out in this RPS and you comply with the conditions set out in the RPS.
This RPS applies to the use of whole waste tyres:
- in building construction,
- in escape ladders in water storage reservoirs,
- for fendering systems at quaysides,
- as fendering on boats and vessels,
- as planters used for displaying flowers and plants.
The EA intends to review this RPS by 1 December 2026.
Source: Gov.uk
For the full guidance, activities, conditions and, notes click here.
WITHDRAWN Low risk waste positions: tyres, rubber and plastics
Low Risk Waste Positions (LRWPs) for tyres, rubber and plastic that have been withdrawn.
The following LRWPs have been replaced by the regulatory position statement ‘Using whole waste tyres: RPS 301’:
- Using waste tyres for fendering systems at quaysides: LRWP 53.
- Using waste tyres for planters: LRWP 56.
- Using waste tyres in escape ladders in water storage reservoirs: LRWP 77.
- Using whole waste tyres in construction: LRWP 79.
‘Storing and cutting waste rubber conveyor belts for reuse: RPS 305’ replaced ‘Storing and cutting waste rubber conveyor belts for reuse: LRWP 2’.
‘Storing and treating artificial turf: RPS 279’ replaced ‘Storing and treating redundant athletics tracks, rubber shock pads and waste AstroTurf for reuse: LRWP 35’.
If you operated under a LRWP that has been replaced, you must check if you can follow the RPS instead.
Source: EA website
For the full guidance, click here.
Articles of Interest
“Scrapping” illegal waste carriers in Sussex
The EA and Sussex Police Rural Crime Team, in partnership with West Sussex local authority and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), carried out road stops in Bognor Regis and Hassocks in June 2024.
Large haulage lorries and smaller vehicles carrying waste or vehicles that routinely carry waste as part of their business, were checked to make sure their vehicles and paperwork were in order.
These road stops were a great success. 29 vehicles, carrying waste were stopped and 27 offences were identified. The offences included no Ministry Of Transport (MOT) certificates, improper driving licences, incorrect number plates, vehicle defects and tyre defects.
In addition, three vehicles had no waste carrier licences and two vehicles had breached their duty of care.
Source: EA website
For the full article, click here.
Jaguar Land Rover and Pirelli team up to roll out Forest Stewardship Council-certified rubber tyres
Automaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and tyre giant Pirelli have collaborated to roll out natural rubber tyres made using materials certified through the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) sustainability label.
The commitment will amount to over 250,000 FSC-certified tyres per year. Initially, the tyres will be added to new Range Rover Electric vehicles. Over time, the switch will be made across Pirelli’s entire portfolio.
FSC’s sustainability label is the most widely used of its kind in the world. It demonstrates that commodities, including wood and rubber, have been harvested from projects with no net deforestation and with robust consideration for nature preservation and conservation. Rubber plantation expansion is estimated to have resulted in the loss of four million hectares of tropical forests in south-east Asia over the past 30 years.
The FSC label also verifies that workers receive fair wages, good safety protocols and proper training. An additional dimension relates to the rights of forest communities to be consulted on the use of local lands.
Source: edie.net
For the full article, click here
Hampshire electric recycling and waste collection vehicles pilot scheme saves nearly nine tonnes in emissions
An eight-week pilot scheme utilising electric Recycling and Waste Collection Vehicles (eRCVs) in Hampshire, resulted in 8,898kg of emissions savings.
The pilot was designed to demonstrate the benefits and capabilities of eRCVs to reduce the county’s carbon footprint created by recycling and refuse collection.
Across 69 collection rounds, the two eRCVs completed collections for thousands of residents, also reducing noise pollution, with carbon savings equivalent to the removal of two cars from the road for an entire year in this eight-week period.
The drivers of the eRCVs were also said to lose their scepticism about electric vehicles early on. One said: “I like how quiet it is, I can hear the crew working behind me much easier, it feels much safer.”
Source: lets.recycle.com
For the full article, click here
New Basel Action Network launches whistleblower program to halt illegal and improper waste exports
Basel Action Network (BAN) has launched a whistleblower website to report illegal or improper practices in the waste management arena. This includes non-compliance with the law or recycling certifications.
Options for reporting include:
- e-Waste export.
- Plastic waste export.
- Improper storage or disposal.
Source: CIWM newsletter
Previous enforcement action
Failing to comply with conditions of an environmental permit (installation) – Regulation 38(2)
A large food manufacturer accepted a reactive enforcement undertaking offer from the EA for the unauthorised discharge of processing effluent from its site in Shropshire in January 2018.
The following actions need to be taken by the company:
- Update its accident management plan.
- Appoint a new effluent treatment plant manager.
- Re-assign responsibility for the effluent treatment plant.
- Produce a new effluent treatment plant testing procedure.
- Provide staff training.
- Introduce a new daily monitoring requirement.
- Introduce a new programme for capital improvements.
- Cover the EA’s costs.
- Contribute £100,000 to Shropshire Wildlife Trust.
Source: Gov.UK
For the full article, click here
Events
Talking Sustainability: stay up to date with the latest developments across the Europe community
9th August 2024 Online 09:00 – 09:45
Join the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) Europe for a virtual event every second Friday of the month. In a relaxed and open atmosphere, IEMA will cover interesting topics and offer the opportunity for members to connect, exchange ideas and engage.
Source: IEMA
Water Resource Management in the Industrial Sector
5th September 2024 Online 10:00 – 14:00
This event aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of innovative and sustainable practices for managing water resources in industrial settings. Designed to benefit students, consultants, and industry leaders who are keen on enhancing their knowledge and implementing effective water management strategies.
Source: IEMA
