One major development is the government’s plan to introduce mandatory digital waste tracking starting from April 2026. This new system is a core part of the UK’s Resources and Waste Strategy and aims to revolutionise how waste is tracked, regulated, and managed across all sectors. What Is Mandatory Digital Waste Tracking? Digital waste tracking will create a centralised, real-time electronic system for recording the movement and treatment of waste throughout the UK. It will replace outdated, fragmented, and mostly paper-based systems with a streamlined digital platform accessible to waste producers, carriers, brokers, regulators, and disposal sites. This means businesses and regulators will have access to reliable, up-to-date information on: Where waste is produced Who is handling it How it is being treated or recycled Where it ultimately ends up Why Is This Important? The digital tracking system will deliver multiple benefits for waste compliance, environmental protection, and the circular economy: Stronger Duty of Care Compliance: Businesses will be better equipped to meet their legal responsibilities for waste management by having clearer, digital records of waste transfers and processing. Effective Waste Regulation: Environmental regulators will gain improved tools to monitor compliance, prioritise inspections, and swiftly act against waste crime such as illegal dumping, misclassification, and unauthorised exports. Combatting Waste Crime: Digital tracking will reduce opportunities for criminals to operate unregulated, protecting legitimate waste businesses and the environment. Supporting a Circular Economy: By fully tracking waste streams, we can maximise resource recovery, reduce landfill, and increase recycling rates, moving towards more sustainable waste management. Smarter, More Efficient Systems: The new digital service will be scalable, secure, and user-friendly, making it easier for all businesses involved in the waste chain to comply with regulations without unnecessary burdens. Working Together Across the UK While waste management is a devolved matter, the UK government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, and Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs are working in partnership to deliver a UK-wide, harmonised digital waste tracking system. This collaboration ensures consistent standards and data sharing across all four nations. What Does This Mean for Your Business? From April 2026, if you produce, transport, treat, or dispose of waste, you will likely be required to use the new digital waste tracking platform. This means: Entering key waste data electronically instead of relying on paper-based waste transfer notes. Keeping up-to-date digital records that are easier to audit and share with regulators. Understanding and adapting to changes in waste duty of care requirements as the legislation evolves alongside the system. Stay Ahead of Waste Regulation Changes Mandatory digital waste tracking marks a significant step forward in the UK’s environmental strategy to improve waste management, fight waste crime, and promote sustainability. Keeping your business compliant will protect you from penalties and contribute to a greener, more circular economy. Visit our website or contact Waste Consultancy today to learn more about preparing for digital waste tracking and other essential waste management compliance services.

One of the most fundamental legal obligations you must meet is the Waste Duty of Care. This duty exists to ensure waste is managed safely, responsibly, and legally from the moment it leaves your control until final disposal or recovery. What Is Waste Duty of Care? The Waste Duty of Care is a legal framework under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. It requires every business producing, storing, transporting, or disposing of waste to take reasonable steps to ensure waste is handled without causing harm to the environment or public health. Key Responsibilities under Duty of Care: Secure Storage: Waste must be stored in a way that prevents escape or pollution. For example, construction waste should be kept in locked skips or containers that prevent wind-blown debris. Use Authorised Waste Carriers: You must only transfer waste to carriers who hold a valid waste carrier licence issued by the Environment Agency or equivalent authority. Provide and Keep Waste Transfer Notes (WTNs): Each time you transfer waste, a detailed WTN must be completed, outlining waste type, quantity, carrier details, and destination. Keep Records: Waste transfer documentation and other compliance records must be kept for a minimum of two years. Proper Waste Classification: Using correct waste codes ensures that hazardous and non-hazardous wastes are identified and managed appropriately. Why Is Duty of Care So Important? Non-compliance with Duty of Care obligations can result in severe penalties including fines, prosecution, or even closure of your site. Improper waste management risks environmental pollution, public health hazards, and damages your business reputation. How Waste Consultancy Supports You We help businesses like yours by providing practical guidance on Duty of Care compliance. From training staff on proper waste handling, verifying waste carrier licences, to reviewing your waste transfer documentation, our experts ensure you meet your legal obligations with confidence.

Under the Environment Agency's updated charging rules, each waste exemption falls into a charging band. Charges include: £56 registration fee per site (one-off, not per exemption) Compliance charge per exemption, based on its band Discounts apply when registering more than one exemption in bands Upper, 1 or 2 🟥 UPPER BAND – High-risk, higher-cost exemptions 💷 Full charge: £1,236 💷 Discounted (additional exemptions): £227 T8 – Mechanically treating end-of-life tyres T9 – Recovering scrap metal U16 – Using depolluted end-of-life vehicles for parts 🟧 BAND 1 – Common treatment and storage activities 💷 Full charge: £420 💷 Discounted (additional exemptions): £76 S1 – Storing waste in secure containers S2 – Storing waste at a secure site T4 – Storing and preparing for further treatment T5 – Screening and blending waste T6 – Treating waste wood and plant matter T10 – Sorting waste for recycling T12 – Manually treating waste T21 – Recovering waste at waste water treatment works T24 – Anaerobic digestion on farms T25 – Anaerobic digestion not on farms U1 – Using waste in construction U9 – Using waste to manufacture finished goods 🟨 BAND 2 – Moderate complexity or specialist waste streams 💷 Full charge: £212 💷 Discounted (additional exemptions): £76 S3 – Storing sludge T1 – Treating certain waste to reuse/recycle T2 – Recovering textiles T13 – Treating waste food T14 – Crushing oil filters T15 – Treating aerosol cans T16 – Treating toner/ink cartridges T17 – Crushing fluorescent tubes T19 – Treating edible oil/fat to produce biodiesel T23 – Aerobic composting T30 – Recovering silver from photo/print T31 – Recovering glycol from aircraft de-icers T33 – Recovering central heating oil U2 – Using tyre bales in construction U4 – Burning waste in a small appliance U5 – Using biodiesel from waste U8 – Using waste for a specific purpose U10 – Spreading waste on agricultural land U11 – Spreading waste on non-agricultural land U15 – Mixing pig/poultry ash with manure D1 – Depositing waste from dredging D6 – Incinerating waste produced on site 🟩 BAND 3 – Low-risk activities with flat fee 💷 Full charge: £30 💷 No discounts for additional exemptions T18 – Removing water from clay and paints T20 – Treating waste at a water treatment works T26 – Using a wormery T29 – Carbon filtering pesticide washings T32 – Treating waste in a biobed/biofilter U3 – Using waste in creative installations U6 – Using sludge to reseed treatment works U7 – Using effluent to clean gravel bed U12 – Using mulch U13 – Spreading plant matter where grown U14 – Mixing ash into soil D2 – Depositing waste from train toilets D3 – Depositing waste from a portable toilet D4 – Depositing diseased crops D5 – Depositing waste for testing D7 – Burning wood/plant waste at production site D8 – Burning waste under Plant Health Notice 🟦 NO CHARGE These exemptions are free to register – but must be done by phone, not online. T28 – Sorting and denaturing controlled drugs 🧑‍🌾 Farming Exemptions – Special Rules If you’re registering one or more approved farming exemptions, you’ll pay: 💷 £88 capped compliance charge for all combined farming exemptions 💷 Plus £56 registration fee If your selected exemptions total less than £88, you only pay the lower amount. 📌 Need Help With Waste Exemption Charges? At Waste Consultancy, we take the confusion out of compliance. Whether you're registering new exemptions, unsure which ones apply to your activity, or trying to avoid overpaying — we’re here to help. 📞 Get in touch today to simplify your waste exemption registration and stay compliant.

Big changes have landed for waste sites operating under Standard Rules permits in England. From 18th December 2024, the Environment Agency introduced an overhaul of Environmental Permitting regulations to reflect updated industry standards and to simplify the system. If you currently operate under a Standard Rules permit – or plan to apply for one – you’ll need to understand what’s changed and how it affects your site. 🔄 What’s Changed? The Environment Agency has replaced 28 existing Standard Rules permits with 8 new rule sets. These are already in effect for new applications, and existing permit holders are now transitioning to the updated rules. Here are the new permit sets introduced: SR2022 No.1 – Treatment of waste to produce soil, soil substitutes and aggregate SR2022 No.2 – Mobile treatment of waste to produce soil, soil substitutes and aggregate SR2022 No.3 – Construction, demolition and excavation (CD&E) waste transfer station SR2022 No.4 – Non-hazardous waste recycling (includes storage of asbestos, WEEE, batteries, cables) SR2022 No.5 – Non-hazardous waste transfer (includes storage of asbestos, WEEE, batteries, cables) SR2022 No.6 – Household Waste Recycling Centre SR2022 No.7 – Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) SR2022 No.8 – Waste wood treatment 🗓️ Key Deadlines and Transition Dates New permits are already being issued using the updated rule sets. Existing permit holders will automatically transition. Old permits will remain available online until 27 June 2025, but all sites must be fully compliant with the new rules by then. The EA will be contacting operators directly to explain how the changes apply. 🔍 What’s Different in the New Rules? These changes are not just a tidy-up – they come with important operational impacts. You’ll need to review your current permit carefully, as: Some permits are now more restrictive, while others offer greater flexibility. Waste codes have been updated to reflect changes in classification (e.g. cables, WEEE). Tonnage and storage limits have been adjusted for some activities. Some activities have been merged to remove duplication or unused permits. Environmental controls have been tightened to align with modern standards. For example, you might now be required to track waste differently, implement new infrastructure, or submit updated documentation. 👷 Do You Still Meet Technical Competence Requirements? If you're working under the CIWM/WAMITAB competence scheme, you’ll also need to review whether your current qualifications still align with the updated permit conditions. Changes to activity types or waste types might mean you need to add new units to your certificate or complete refresher training. CIWM have issued supporting FAQs on this. 💡 How Waste Consultancy Can Help At Waste Consultancy, we’re here to guide you through the permitting changes with clear, no-jargon advice. Whether you're unsure which new SR permit applies, or want to ensure your operation stays compliant before the deadline – we’ve got you covered. We can help with: ✅ Permit audits to assess if your operation still fits the Standard Rules ✅ Support with new environmental permit applications ✅ Waste classification reviews (to ensure codes and activities are correctly applied) ✅ Advice on exemptions, storage limits, and operational impact ✅ Competence scheme advice and CIWM unit mapping 🧾 Stay Ahead of the Changes Don’t wait until your permit is invalid or enforcement action is looming. These changes affect thousands of permitted waste sites – from recycling yards to transfer stations. 👉 Need help understanding how the 2025 changes impact your business? We offer tailored support to waste sites of all sizes. Contact us today for a quick chat or a formal site review. 📞 [Insert contact details or link to contact page] 🌐 www.wasteconsultancy.co.uk

Whether you're a skip hire company, a construction firm, or a rural business registering on farmland, the new charging structure means more clarity – but also more cost in some cases. 💷 What’s Changed? The previous system offered free waste exemption registration. Under the new rules, most businesses will now pay both a registration fee and a compliance charge. The Environment Agency has introduced the charges to cover the cost of administering and checking exemptions. Here’s the breakdown: 🧾 Registration Charge: £56 You’ll pay this once per site, no matter how many exemptions you register in one go. This covers the admin cost of putting your exemption on the public register. ✅ Compliance Charge (Per Exemption): This is where costs vary depending on the type of exemption. Band Exemptions Included Full Charge Discounted Charge (if multiple) Upper T8, T9, U16 £1,236 £227 Band 1 (various) £420 £76 Band 2 (various) £212 £76 Band 3 (various) £30 No discount Example: If you're registering a T9 (upper band) and a Band 1 exemption, you’ll pay: £56 registration fee £1,236 for the T9 £76 discounted rate for the Band 1 exemption Total: £1,368 👩‍🌾 What About Farmers? If you're a farmer registering common ‘farming exemptions’, you’ll benefit from a capped compliance charge of £88 total, no matter how many of those exemptions you register. You still need to pay the £56 registration charge, but this is a significant discount compared to commercial sites. Just make sure the exemptions you register are actually classed as farming exemptions – if they’re not, the standard charges apply. 🧰 Are Any Exemptions Still Free? Yes, charities and anyone registering a T28 exemption (burning waste at the place of production) do not have to pay. However, you can’t register these online – you’ll need to contact the Environment Agency by phone. 🖥️ How Do I Pay? You can pay by card or bank transfer when using the online registration service. Once payment is confirmed, your exemptions are active and visible on the public register for 3 years. 🔄 Can I Get a Refund? Yes – but only in certain situations. You may be entitled to a full or partial refund if: You made a mistake or registered in error (within 21 days) You paid twice The activity is no longer going ahead Your exemption is replaced by a permit (pro rata refund) ⚠️ Why It Matters For the first time, businesses must now budget for waste exemption compliance. Many won’t have been charged before, and some exemptions (especially in the upper band) are now over £1,200 to register. Failing to register the correct exemption – or breaching its limits – could lead to enforcement action, or require you to get a full environmental permit. 💬 Don’t Risk Getting It Wrong At Waste Consultancy, we help businesses: Understand what exemptions they need (and which they don’t) Register efficiently and correctly Avoid unnecessary charges or duplicated costs Keep compliant with ongoing exemption rules 👉 Need help registering waste exemptions under the new 2025 rules? Get expert support today – contact us for quick, no-fuss advice that keeps you compliant and cost-efficient.

But there’s actually a middle ground – waste exemptions. These are legal, registered activities that let you carry out certain low-risk waste operations without needing a full environmental permit. But that doesn’t mean they’re a free-for-all. If you're working in construction, running a small waste operation, or managing a rural site, understanding waste exemptions could save you time, money – and a hefty fine. ✅ What Is a Waste Exemption? A waste exemption allows businesses to carry out specific waste activities that would normally require a permit – provided certain conditions are met. These exemptions are designed for low-risk waste activities that are common in agriculture, construction, small-scale treatment, and reuse. Exemptions must be registered with the Environment Agency and are typically valid for 3 years. Most businesses will still have to pay to register them (more on that in another blog), and failure to follow the rules can result in enforcement action. 🔍 What Kind of Activities Can Be Exempt? Waste exemptions are grouped into four main types: Storing Waste – e.g. temporary storage of certain waste types at the site of production Treating Waste – e.g. crushing bricks or sorting soil on-site Using Waste – e.g. reusing crushed concrete for a track or foundation Disposing of Waste – e.g. spreading organic waste on land for agricultural benefit Each exemption has its own set of rules and limits – such as the amount you can store, the types of waste allowed, and where the activity can take place. ❗ Not Everything Needs an Exemption Some waste activities don’t require an exemption or permit at all. For example: Storing your own waste on-site for up to a year Chipping virgin wood and spreading it as mulch on your own land Temporary storage at a collection point But you must be sure the activity is genuinely exempt – because if you get it wrong, you could be operating illegally without realising it. ⚠️ You Still Have to Meet the Conditions Even if your activity qualifies for an exemption, you must follow the conditions set out in the exemption guidance. These include: Not storing more waste than allowed Only handling the types of waste listed Not causing pollution or a nuisance (e.g. dust, odours, noise) Not disturbing protected environments or areas of special interest If you breach any of these conditions, the Environment Agency can take enforcement action – and you may need to get a permit after all. 📝 Do You Need an Exemption or a Permit? Here are some scenarios: Situation Likely Need Storing skip waste for processing Probably needs a permit Spreading green waste on farmland Could qualify for a waste exemption Chipping wood from your own land Might need no exemption at all Repairing WEEE (electrical waste) Needs a T11 exemption, not in the standard band list When in doubt, it’s best to check with a waste consultant – or you could end up registering the wrong thing or paying too much. 🧭 Summary: Waste Exemptions in Plain English Waste exemptions give you a legal way to carry out low-risk waste activities without the burden of a full environmental permit. But you must register the right one, follow the rules, and know your limits. 💬 Need Help Choosing or Registering a Waste Exemption? At Waste Consultancy, we help businesses, farms and contractors understand what they need – and get it right first time. From choosing the correct exemption to full registration, we’ll take care of the compliance so you can focus on the job. 👉 Contact us today to speak to an expert.

If you currently hold a T9 Waste Exemption for the Recovery of Scrap Metal , you will be aware that this is to be removed in 2025. Waste exemptions are changing , and one of the big changes set to come into force is the revocation of the the T9 Recovery of Scrap Metal Exemption. The changes are due to come into place in 2025 , however this is dependent on various political factors , so as yet no specific deadline has been set. To remedy the removal of the T 9 Waste Exemption , a new Standard Rules Permit has been put into place. The new permit is a SR2012 No11 : Small Metal Recycling Facility (less than 5000 tonnes per year). If you choose to carry on this waste activity after the exemption has been removed , you will be doing this illegally. Therefore , it is important that you put plans in place now to prevent your business being affected. We can help with the application and ongoing compliance of this new permit , so give us a call to see if we can advise before the changes come into force.

Client : Family run Grab Hire Company Location : Nottinghamshire Requirement : Prepare and submit Environmental Permit Application and ongoing WAMITAB Cover and Compliance Support.

Waste exemptions are changing , and one of the big changes set to come into force is the revocation of the the End of Life Tyres Waste Exemption T8. The changes are due to come into place in 2025 , however this is dependent on various political factors , so as yet no specific deadline has been set. To remedy the removal of the T8 Waste Exemption , a new Standard Rules Permit has been put into place. The new permit is a SR2012 No13 : storage and mechanical treatment of end-of-life tyres for recovery. If you choose to carry on this waste activity after the exemption has been removed , you will be doing this illegally. Therefore , it is important that you put plans in place now to prevent your business being affected. We can help with the application and ongoing compliance of this new permit , so give us a call to see if we can advise before the changes come into force.