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  • Temporary storage of waste at a collection point

Temporary storage of waste at a collection point

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This activity applies to the temporary storage of waste at a collection point.

Authorisation level

General Binding Rule (GBR)

Rules

The temporary storage of waste at a collection point, for the purpose of recovering or disposing of the waste elsewhere, 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 carry out an activity under this authorisation you must comply with the rules. It is an offence if you do not comply with the rules.

If you cannot comply with the rules, but still wish to carry out this activity, you will need to apply for a different type of authorisation.

General Binding Rule (GBR) for temporary storage of waste at a collection point

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

    1. all reasonable precautions are taken to ensure that the waste cannot escape from the collection point, and
    2. members of the public are unable to gain access to the waste,

  2. where more than one type of waste is stored, the different types of waste are not mixed,

  3. the waste must not be stored at the collection point for more 12 months,

  4. the total amount of solid waste stored at any one time must not exceed 50 cubic metres,

  5. except for WEEE, the total amount of hazardous waste stored at any one time must not exceed 5 cubic metres,

  6. the total amount of liquid waste stored at any one time must not exceed 5,000 litres,

  7. 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,

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

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

Help and guidance

What can I do?

Operate a collection point for single stream wastes such as batteries, clothing or glass.

Carry out a range of basic treatment operations to facilitate storage and onward transport.

Examples include:

  • Recycling boxes in offices for staff to deposit household batteries.
  • A collection point for out-of-date medicines at pharmacies.
  • Operating a needle exchange.
  • Take back schemes in shops for consumer goods such as electrical items.
  • Operating a collection point for plasterboard and timber off-cuts at a DIY store.
  • Operating a collection point for cardboard at a wholesaler.
  • Community collection points or bring banks at churches, schools, car parks and supermarkets.
  • Auction marts providing a collection point for agricultural plastics prior to bulk collection.

What are the conditions?

The collection of waste must not be the main business of the person operating the collection point and there must be no payment from the producer for collecting the waste.

Waste must be stored securely.

Where more than one type of waste is stored, the types must not be mixed.

Waste must not be stored for more 12 months.

No more than 50 cubic metres of solid waste can be stored at any one time.

Except for WEEE, no more than 5 cubic metres of hazardous waste can be stored at any one time.

No more than 5 cubic metres of liquid waste can be stored at any one time.

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.

What else do I need to know?

The storage must be incidental to the collection of waste. This GBR does not authorise the storage of waste at a waste recovery or disposal facility.

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

Waste types should not be mixed. This GBR does not authorise the collection of ‘general waste’ in single containers.