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  • Temporary storage at the place of production

Temporary storage at the place of production

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This activity applies to the temporary storage of waste, other than waste liquid digestate, at the place of production.

Authorisation level

General Binding Rule (GBR)

Rules

The temporary storage of waste at the place of production is covered by General Binding Rules. If you intend to carry out this activity, and you comply with the rules set out below, your activity will be authorised. You don’t need to apply to SEPA for an authorisation.

If you cannot comply with the rules, you will need a different type of authorisation.

General Binding Rule (GBR) for temporary storage of waste at the place of production

  1. The waste must be stored in a secure place such that—

    1. all reasonable precautions must be taken to ensure that the waste cannot escape from the place of production, and,
    2. the waste must be stored such that members of the public are unable to gain access to the waste,

  2. liquid waste must be stored in a container which is of sufficient strength and structural integrity to ensure that it is unlikely to burst or leak in its ordinary use,

  3. the waste must not be stored at the place where it was produced for longer than 12 months,

  4. any treatment of the waste must only be carried out to facilitate storage and onward transport of that waste for recovery or disposal,

  5. where more than 200 litres of waste oil is stored, storage must comply with the rules for activity 28 in Chapter 2.

Help and guidance

What can I do?

  • Store your own waste securely at the site where it was produced.
  • Carry out basic treatment activities to facilitate storage and onward transport.

What are the conditions?

  • Waste must be stored securely.
  • Liquid waste must be stored in a container which is of sufficient strength and structural integrity to ensure that it is unlikely to burst or leak in its ordinary use.
  • Where more than 200 litres of waste oil are stored, storage must comply with the rules for Water - GBR 28: All other storage of oil.
  • Waste must not be stored for longer than 12 months.
  • Treatment must only be to facilitate storage and transport for recovery or disposal.

What else do I need to know?

Secure storage means all reasonable precautions are taken to ensure waste cannot escape and to prevent unauthorised access to the waste by members of the public, livestock and wild animals. This includes preventing litter.

You can carry out some basic treatment activities to make waste you have produced easier to store and transport for recovery or disposal somewhere else. Examples include:

  • Compacting or crushing paper, cans or glass to facilitate less frequent collections and easier loading.
  • Separating recyclables into separate storage containers.
  • De-watering food waste prior to collection of the solid fraction.
  • Crushing oil filters or aerosol cans in specially designed equipment to facilitate onward transport.
  • Shredding confidential paper.

Treatment operations which change the characteristics of the waste such as composting, anaerobic digestion or incineration are not authorised by this GBR.

A group of businesses can share storage facilities under this General Binding Rule provided it is still part of the collection process. Examples include shared bins on a retail park, industrial estate or high street. Where this occurs, all parties shall be liable for ensuring the waste is responsibly managed.

This GBR does not authorise storage at a waste recovery or disposal facility.