Guidance

Metals recycling: examples for your adapting to climate change risk assessment

Updated 17 May 2023

Applies to England

Possible impacts and mitigation measures to consider when preparing your climate change risk assessment.

Summer daily maximum temperature

This may be around 7°C higher compared to average summer temperatures now, with the potential to reach extreme temperatures as high as over 40°C with increasing frequency based on today’s values.

Impact 1

Potential for increased waste reactions and fires involving:

• heat sensitive or combustible waste oil
• contaminated swarf
• frag light fractions
• oily rags

The mitigation for this could include:

• making sure heat sensitive wastes are stored in protected areas (for example, in shaded buildings or under cover)
• making sure there is suitable segregation and separation of wastes

Impact 2

Dry vegetation in and around hot cutting areas, leading to increased fire risk.

The mitigation could include provision, testing and maintenance of fire detection or prevention measures.

Impact 3

Potential increase in high temperature expansion and stress of plant, pipework and fittings.

The mitigation for this could include regular inspection and preventative maintenance of the site, plant or equipment.

Impact 4

Potential increased dust emissions from processing areas and site roads.

The mitigation could include regular site cleaning and use of dust suppression systems.

Impact 5

Stockpiled metal food and drink containers attracting pests and odours.

The mitigation could include:

• robust waste acceptance procedures to prevent excessively odorous or insect infested loads being deposited at the site
• housekeeping measures to make sure waste is turned around rapidly, storage areas and bays are cleaned and washed down regularly
• treating waste with insecticides and so on to reduce the risk of flies and pests (where appropriate)

Winter daily temperatures

This could be 4°C more than the current average with the potential for more extreme temperatures, both warmer and colder than present.

Impact 1

Increased risk of pipework freezing.

The mitigation could include insulating and provision of trace heating for exposed pipework.

Daily extreme rainfall

Daily rainfall intensity could increase by up to 20% on today’s values

Impact 1

Potential for increased site surface water and flooding resulting in drainage systems and interceptors being overwhelmed.

The mitigation for this could include making sure:

• suitable measures are in place for the management of anticipated surface water and flood waters
• drainage systems are inspected and maintained
• external areas where wastes are handled or stored are provided with contained drainage
• the site drainage system and effluent treatment plant has sufficient storage or treatment capacity

Average winter rainfall

Average winter rainfall may increase by over 40% on today’s averages.

Impact 1

Potential for increased site surface water and flooding.

Mitigation for this would be to prepare flood plan with reference to the guidance Preparing for flooding: A guide for sites regulated under EPR and COMAH.

This should include:

• identification and risk assessment of process equipment and services at greatest risk from flooding
• provision of emergency pumps to remove floodwater and identification of lowest risk location for discharge of floodwaters
• protection of control and electrical systems
• identification and protection of flat bottom tanks at risk of floating in floodwater

Impact 2

Potential for drainage systems and interceptors to be overwhelmed.

The mitigation for this could be making sure:

• suitable measures are in place for the management of flood waters, where relevant
• drainage systems are inspected and maintained
• external areas where wastes are handled or stored are provided with contained drainage
• the site drainage system and effluent treatment plant has sufficient storage or treatment capacity

Sea level rise

Sea level rise which could be as much as 0.6m higher compared to today’s level.

Impact 1

If a site is located near the coast there is potential increased risk of flooding.

The mitigation for this would be to review flood defences around coastal landfill sites and to produce a flood plan with reference to the guidance Preparing for flooding: A guide for sites regulated under EPR and COMAH.

This should include:

• identification and risk assessment of process equipment and services at greatest risk from flooding
• provision of emergency pumps to remove floodwater and identification of lowest risk location for discharge of floodwaters
• protection of control and electrical systems
• identification and protection of flat bottom tanks at risk of floating in floodwater

Drier summers

Summers could see potentially up to 40% less rain than now.

Impact 1

Potential increased use and reliance on mains water for dust suppression, cleaning and fire water.

The mitigation for this would be to make sure:

• measures are in place to review and minimise water use and to maximise collection and use of rainfall
• mains water capacity is adequate, taking into account reduced availability of rainwater for activities such as dust suppression, cleaning and fighting fires

Impact 2

Potential increase in dust emissions from a site.

Mitigation for this would include regular site cleaning and use of dust suppression systems.

River flow

The flow in the watercourses could be 50% more than now at its peak, and 80% less than now at its lowest.

Impact 1

There is potential increased impact of discharge to watercourse from on-site drainage systems where connected to water courses.

The mitigation would include:

• reviewing the environmental risk assessment for discharge to water from on-site drainage
• checking the existing environmental risk assessment to make sure low river flow used in assessment remains valid – if not, discuss with the Environment Agency (local site inspector and water quality team) and do an updated environmental risk assessment
• reviewing and improving the effluent treatment process if added impact is predicted for the receiving watercourse

Impact 2

Increased risk of watercourse flows being too high to allow discharge and drainage backing up on site.

The mitigation for this could include checking the potential for high flows in the receiving watercourse to cause surface water backing up and flooding the site.

Storms

Storms could see a change in frequency and intensity. The unique combination of increased wind speeds, increased rainfall, and lightning during these events provides the potential for more extreme storm impacts.

Storms and high winds could damage building structures with increased potential for fugitive emissions.

The mitigation for this could include:

• reviewing the design of vulnerable structures and buildings
• reviewing wind loading calculations, providing reinforcement if necessary
• maintaining building integrity