Waste exemption guides
A complete list of waste exemptions for storing, treating, using and disposing of waste. Including waste exemption conditions.
A waste exemption is a waste management activity that is exempt from needing an environmental permit. Each exemption has conditions you must comply with.
Waste exemptions are listed under 4 types of activity:
- storing waste
- treating waste
- using waste
- disposing of waste
Use the waste exemption service to register your waste exemption with the Environment Agency.
Storing waste
Exemptions for storing certain waste materials.
Storing waste: exemptions you do not need to register
You may not need to register exemptions if you:
- store your own waste temporarily
- operate a waste collection point
Check if you need to register your storing exemption. You must still comply with conditions even if you do not need to register.
Exemptions you do not need to register are known as non-waste framework directive (NWFD) exemptions.
Treating waste
Exemptions for preparing, recovering, sorting and treating certain waste materials, such as waste wood and plant matter.
Check the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 to find out about:
- T3 – treatment of waste metals and metal alloys by heating for the purposes of removing grease
- T7 – treatment of waste bricks, tiles and concrete by crushing, grinding or reducing in size
Register T3 and T7 with your local authority, not the Environment Agency.
Using waste
Exemptions for using waste in construction, spreading waste materials on land, and burning waste as fuel.
Disposing of waste
Exemptions for disposing of waste by:
- burning certain waste in an incinerator or in the open
- depositing sanitary waste, agricultural waste and spoil from dredging inland waters