Waste Exemptions: Treating Waste

What are T3 and T7 exempt waste operations?

T3 activities are the treatment of waste materials for the purpose of removing grease, oil and any non-metallic contaminant by heating in an appliance. To qualify as a T3 exempt waste operation the activity must also meet the following criteria:-

• The total quantity of waste stored at any one time must not exceed 10 tonnes.

• The waste must be stored in a secure location with sealed drainage.

• The appliance (or aggregate of all the appliances together) must be less than 0.2 megawatts net rated thermal input.

• Must not be used for the removal of plastic and rubber from scrap cable or any asbestos contaminant.

T7 activities are the crushing, grinding, or other size reduction of waste bricks, tiles or concrete typically using small/micro crushers and can include some mobile plant. If you operate mobile plant then your principal place of business must be within the East Lindsey district, otherwise you must contact your home Local Authority. If your principal place of business is outside of the United Kingdom then we can still register your exemption if the activity is to be carried out within our district. To qualify as a T7 exempt waste operation the activity must also meet the following criteria:-

• The total quantity of waste treated over any period of 1 hour should not exceed 20 tonnes.

• The total quantity of waste stored at any one time must not exceed 200 tonnes.

• The waste must be stored in a secure location prior to treatment.

• Must not release into air certain substances (Schedule 1 Part 1) except in quantities which are so trivial that it is incapable of causing pollution or its capacity to cause pollution is insignificant.

Further guidance on waste exemptions: treating waste is available on the gov.uk website.

Not a T3 or T7 exempt waste operation? Then you are likely to come under Environment Agency Regulation

How do I register my T3 or T7 exempt waste operation?

There is no charge to register as a T3 or T7 exempt waste operation. However, you do need to complete an application form to register your waste exemption by contacting us. Your application will be acknowledged as soon as it is received by post or e-mail. We aim to process the application within five working days confirming where your activity has been registered. If we require any additional information we will contact you directly.

How long will my registration be valid for?

Registration lasts for three years. After this time you will need to renew your exemptions. We will remind you when your renewal is due and invite you to register again, one month before its due to end.

If you already have one or more exempt waste operations at any one place and you wish to add an additional exempt operation of the same type at a later date, then the additional registration will be valid until the date of renewal for the first registration.

You can renew a registration at any time in the month prior to the renewal date, up to the date the existing registration becomes invalid.

Public register of exempt operations

As the exemption registration authority we are required to maintain an up to date public register of establishments or undertakings with a valid T3 or T7 exempt waste operation.

The public register is available during our normal office opening hours and is free to inspect.