U11 waste exemption: spreading waste on non-agricultural land
The U11 exemption allows you to spread waste on non-agricultural land to replace manufactured fertilisers or virgin materials (such as lime) to improve or maintain soil.
Applies to England
Types of activity you can carry out
These could include:
- spreading compost produced under T23: aerobic composting and associated prior treatment to condition the soil in a communal garden
- spreading small amounts of ash produced by wood chip boilers under U4: burning waste as a fuel in a small appliance
Types of activity you cannot carry out
You cannot spread waste:
- to benefit agricultural land under this exemption - see U10 in related exemptions.
- not listed in the table below
- on land unless it provides a benefit
Types and quantities of waste you can use
The waste codes are listed in the List of Wastes (LoW) Regulations. You need to make sure your waste fits within the waste code and the description.
| Waste | Type of waste | Quantity (tonnes per hectare per year) | Storage (tonnes) | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 010102, 010408, 170504 | Chalk only | 50 | 200 | A |
| 020202 | Shellfish shells from which the soft tissue or flesh has been removed only | 50 | 200 | A |
| 020399, 020401 | Soil from cleaning fruit and vegetables only | 50 | 200 | A |
| 100101 | Ash from wood chip boilers registered and operating under U4 exemption only | 1 | 10 | A |
| 170506 | Dredging spoil not containing dangerous substances from creating or maintaining habitats, ditches or ponds in parks, gardens, fields and forests | 150 | 1,250 | B |
| 020199 | Used compost from growing mushrooms only | 50 | 500 | A |
| 190599 | Compost produced only from the limited list of waste and in the proportions stated in the T23 exemption or worm compost from the T26 exemption | 50 | 500 | A |
| 190604 | Digestate produced only from the limited range of waste and conditions allowed under T24 and T25 exemptions only | 50 | 200 | A |
| 190812 | Biobed or biofilter material produced from a treatment registered and operated under T32 exemption only | 50 | 200 | A, C |
| 200108 | Coffee grounds only | 50 | 200 | A |
Key to conditions
| Condition | Additional requirement |
|---|---|
| A | The place where waste is stored or land on which waste is to be spread must be at least 10 metres from a watercourse and 50 metres from a spring, well or borehole |
| B | The waste must be spread next to the place it was dredged from |
| C | The waste is stored at least 12 months before spreading |
Key conditions
Waste must be spread to benefit the land.
You should not use any more waste than you need to or this will be considered as waste disposal and will not be exempt.
Waste must be stored in a secure location before it is used.
You must not spread waste if the land is:
- waterlogged, frozen or covered with snow
- has been frozen for 12 hours or more in the 24 hours before you want to start spreading
Biobed or biofilter material must be stored for 12 months before it is spread. Other types of waste must be stored for less than 12 months before they are spread.
Dredging spoil from maintaining ditches can only be spread next to the ditch from which it is dredged.
Other things you need to know
You must keep records of the amount, nature and origin of all waste spread on your land for 2 years. You must make these records available to the Environment Agency if they ask to see them. If you are already required to keep records under the Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2008 or the Nitrate Pollution Prevention (Wales) Regulations 2008 (the Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Rules), you do not need to keep other records.
U11 related exemptions
U10: spreading of waste on agricultural land to confer benefit
T23 : aerobic composting and associated prior treatment
T24: anaerobic digestion at premises used for agriculture and burning resulting biogas
T25: anaerobic digestion at premises not used for agriculture and burning resulting biogas
T26: treating kitchen waste in a wormery
Register a U11 exemption
You need to register this exemption with the Environment Agency if you meet the requirements.
U11 related permits
If you want to spread a wider range of waste or spread more waste than this exemption allows, you will need to apply for an environmental permit.