Guidance

Shredding computer hard drives: LRWP 20

Updated 15 November 2021

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/low-risk-waste-positions-electrical-equipment-including-constituent-parts-and-accessories/shredding-computer-hard-drives-lrwp-20

This low risk waste position (LRWP) applies if you shred computer hard drives for the purposes of security and data destruction only.

If you follow the conditions in this LRWP you can carry out the activity without an environmental permit for a waste operation.

Conditions you must comply with

You must:

  • only shred for recovery up to 50 hard drives over any 7 day period
  • send the shredded waste for recovery at an authorised treatment facility

You must make sure your activities do not endanger human health or the environment.

You must not:

  • cause a risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals
  • cause a nuisance through noise or odours
  • adversely affect the countryside or places of special interest

Enforcement

A LRWP means that the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action against you provided:

  • your activity meets the description set out in this LRWP
  • you comply with the conditions set out in this LRWP
  • your activity does not, and is not likely to, cause environmental pollution or harm human health

Contact the Environment Agency

General enquiries

National Customer Contact Centre
PO Box 544
Rotherham
S60 1BY

Email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

Telephone 03708 506 506

Telephone from outside the UK (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm GMT) +44 (0) 114 282 5312

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

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