The NFU has recently been liaising with the Environment Agency due to a number of member queries about the revision to standard rules permits, and the ongoing biowaste treatment permit review impacting those with bespoke permits.
Navigating changes
Following these discussions, the EA has now published its guidance on the appropriate measures for permitted facilities, which should provide members with some support on how best to navigate these changes.
This guidance consolidates the four draft guidance documents and explains the standards (appropriate measures) that are relevant to permitted waste management facilities that handle organic waste, also known as biowaste.
Guidance
Facilities that operate under a relevant waste exemption and other operations such as crop fed anaerobic digestion can also use this guidance.
The guidance sets out:
- When appropriate measures apply.
- Definitions.
- Bespoke wastes suitable for biological treatment.
- Issues to consider for site location, design, and capacity (including prevention of contamination and containment).
- General management appropriate measures.
- Waste pre-acceptance, acceptance, and tracking.
- Waste storage, segregation, transfer, and handling.
- Appropriate measures for waste treatment.
- Appropriate measures relating to outputs from the process.
- Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations 2015 (COMAH) and if they apply.
- Emissions control, including requirements for emissions inventory and monitoring of emissions to air, land, water, odour, bioaerosols and noise & vibration.
- Process efficiency – water, energy and raw materials used and residues and wastewater generated.
- Bespoke waste assessment.
Visit GOV.UK Biological waste treatment: appropriate measures for permitted facilities – Guidance for more detail.