There are two types of waste management licensing exemptions: simple exemptions and complex exemptions.

Most waste management licensing exemptions have limits on the type and quantity of the waste you can treat or store and how long you can store it. If you are using, treating, disposing of or storing small quantities of waste for recovery or recycling the activity may be covered by an exemption which would need to be registered with the Environment Agency. Each exemption has specific limits and conditions you need to follow. If you do not, the Environment Agency can cancel or ‘deregister’ your exemption.

Simple exemptions

Most activities exempt from waste management licensing are covered by simple exemptions. They include:

cleaning or coating waste packaging, containers and textiles
burning waste as a fuel in an exempt appliance
burning waste oil as a fuel in an engine
storing specified waste securely, e.g. waste hydraulic oils
treating specific waste to recover materials
burning waste in an exempt incinerator where it was produced
storing waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) for recovery at a place other than where it was produced

Complex exemptions

Activities covered by complex exemptions include:

reclaiming and improving land
storing and spreading sludge
treating some waste at a water treatment works
composting
using waste in construction
disposing of pesticides
burning waste wood at docks
storing WEEE for recovery
repairing and refurbishing WEEE