Following the Waste Crime Consultation and Call for Evidence we have an opportunity to review what we think is wrong with the waste exemption regime and set out our proposals for change. This is an informal opportunity to give your views.  You may have had a similar email from the Environment Agency if you represent customers in England.

A call for evidence

We know that there are problems with exempt sites but we are unsighted on the scale of the problem.  For example - 

• Operators exceed the threshold limits or take in additional waste types to that set out in the exemption. 
• Operators intentionally register exemptions to hide illegal activity.
• Some exemptions allow large volumes of combustible waste to be stored, raising concerns over potential fires and associated impacts.
• Limits set in exemptions may not be low risk.
• There are no restrictions based on proximity to sensitive receptors or infrastructure.
• Several exemptions registered at any one site changes the risk status.
• Where waste exemptions have been registered on permitted sites, the boundary between activities is not always clear introducing regulatory complications.
• Operators can re-register exemptions even though we have de-registered. 

What we would like you to do:

We would welcome your thoughts and proposals on what you would like to see changed for waste exemptions and we need this to be supported by real examples where possible.  The potential impact that any change could have on your particular sector positive and negative would also be important.

We need to collect your proposals and as many real examples by the 25th September 2015

What we are doing:

We will be reviewing our information systems and brigading examples from operational teams.
Julie Tate will be leading our work on waste exemptions – please send any correspondence to JulieTate with the title “Waste Exemptions – Call for Evidence”.