Enviroawards limited provide an end-to-end service for waste operators.
Environmental Permitting can be a complex process, particularly due to the shear amount of supporting documents required during the application stage.
Enviroawards provide a cost-effective permitting service across England, Wales & Scotland to satisfy the requirements of the relevant competent authorities.
The Process
Environmental Permitting
Where a given activity poses a negligible level of risk, operators can register for an exemption (where applicable) which relieves the operator from needing a full permit.
Waste Operations:
A waste operation is where waste is accepted, stored, treated or disposed of. Waste operations are further split into two categories which are standard rules and bespoke.
Standard Rules Permit:
Standard Rules Permits contain a fixed set of rules that must be complied with. To be eligible for a standard rules permit, the operator will need to meet the standard rules location criteria.
A full heritage, nature conservation & environmental screening will determine the following:
Sensitive
Receptors
SSSI’s
(Site of Special
Scientific Interest)
Boreholes, Wells or Springs
(used for water supply
or human consumption)
AQMA
(Air Quality Management Area)
SPA’s
(Special Protection Areas)
RAMSAR sites
(wetlands of international importance)
Protected Habitats and Species
Groundwater Protection Zone
Based on the screening data we will know if the site qualifies for a standard rules permit.
Other than location, the operator will need to ensure that a standard rules permit can be complied with in relation to the permitted waste types allowed to be discharged onto site, waste treatment techniques, annual tonnage throughput, and waste storage limitations.
The rules within a standard rules permit are fixed and can not be changed.
If the operator wanted to accept and treat a waste type that is not listed within a standard rules permit then the operator would either need to:
(a) Find a different standard rules permit
that is more suitable or;
(b) Apply for a bespoke permit.
Our Services
Environmental Permit Applications
Environmental Permit Variations
Environmental Permit Surrenders
Technical Advice for Existing Applications
Fire Prevention Plans
Environmental Management Systems
Environmental Risk Assessments
Site Condition Reports
Emissions Management Plans
Air Quality Assessments
Waste Tracking Systems
Site Plans, Sensitive Receptor Plans, Location Plans
Ecological Survey
Geological Surveys
Hydrological Survey
CIWM (WAMITAB) Qualification
(required for operators
of permitted waste sites)
The Process
Consultation
This is a free, no obligation service offered by Enviroawards.
At this stage, we establish the nature and scale of your operation to gain an understanding of your business needs. This will help us determine what waste classifications you intend on accepting, storing, treating or disposing of, along with the potential infrastructure requirements needed to support the proposed or existing operation.
It is also an opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have.
Pre-Application Process
This process allows us to determine what environmental permit your operation will require, and if the site qualifies for either a standard rules, bespoke or installation.
To establish this, we will carry out an environmental screening of the area to identify proximity from any potential receptors, SSSI’s (Site of Special Scientific Interest), Boreholes, Wells or Springs (used for water supply or human consumption), AQMA (Air Quality Management Area), SPA (Special Protection Areas) or RAMSAR sites (wetlands of international importance).
Site Visit
Enviroawards will use this visit to consult and gather information regarding water supplies/hydrant locations, emergency access, perimeter boundaries, sensitive receptors, ground condition, drainage systems, site infrastructure, and information/data needed for us to develop the supporting documents required for the application.
The documents required to make the application pack will depend on the type of permit being applied for, and the sites location in relation to the sensitive receptors identified during the screening process.
Below are some examples of management system documents required for an environmental permit application:
FPP (Fire Prevention Plan)
Fire prevention plans are required for Environmental Permits that authorise the acceptance of combustible waste types on site.
A fire prevention plan has three core objectives:
Minimise the likelihood of a fire occurring
This risk would be managed through implementing operating techniques and monitoring schedules to ensure mitigation, but also to manage common causes of waste fires.
Aim to extinguish a fire within 4 hours.
This can be achieved by demonstrating effective emergency responses. Additionally, the site will need to demonstrate they have adequate water resources, fire detection systems, firefighting techniques, and staff training.
Minimise the spread of fire within the site and to neighboring sites.
This is managed through demonstrating the implementation of appropriate measures such as fire breaks, thermal barriers and separation distances to ensure fire can be contained and isolated.
EMS (Environmental Management Plan)
An Environmental Permit requires operators of permitted waste sites to manage and operate their waste site in accordance with a written management system that identifies and minimises risks from pollution.
The Environmental Management System is a set of written procedures detailing specifically how the operator will carrying out their waste activity, the risks associated with the activity and the appropriate measures the operator will take to manage those risks.
Below is an example of the types of documents that form part of the written management system:
- Waste pre-acceptance, acceptance and waste rejection procedures
- Spillage procedures
- Procedures for managing fugitive emissions
- Procedures for dealing with emergencies
- Procedures for managing reception, storage, treatment and transfer of wastes
- Preventative maintenance plans for pollution prevention
- Accident management plan
- Complaints Procedure
- Flood risks
- Environmental monitoring procedures
- Staff training and competency
- Procedure for notification and reporting
- Procedure for Record keeping
- Operating Techniques
- Procedures for waste handling
- Waste tracking procedures
Through consultation we will develop an EMS that will keep your operation compliant within the scope of your environmental permit.
Plans / Maps
Site plans are required to obtain an environmental permit.
The site plans form part of the application pack and need to be drawn to scale.
Location plan
The location plan must show where the site is located. In addition to this, it must show an accurate boundary line for the permitted area.
This will be used by the regulator to determine what areas will be regulated within the scope of the permit.
Site plan
The site plan must be drawn to scale and show the following information:
- Areas of ground that engineered to be impermeable
- Areas of hard standing
- Areas of unmade ground
- Drainage infrastructure (this can sometimes a standalone plan for complex drainage systems)
- Waste storage areas
- COSHH storage
- Buildings
- Bays
- Bunding
- Services
- Fire Prevention Systems
- Point Source Emissions
- Pollution Prevention Systems
- Quarantine areas
Receptor plan
A sensitive receptor plan must show all of the identified sensitive receptors within a 1 kilometer radius from the site.
This will include:
- Residents
- Commercial areas
- Industrial areas
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Protected Habitats
- Watercourses
- Groundwater
- Boreholes, wells and springs
- Railways
- Airports
- Sites of Scientific Interest
Submission
Once the application forms, management systems, site plans, and evidence of primary/continuing competence is produced, the documents are submitted to the Regulator via the government portal.
At this stage the permit application fee will need to be paid to the Regulator. Once settled, the application will officially be in the queue.
The next stage is for the Regulator to confirm the application as ‘Duly Made’. This is where the Regulator confirms that there is sufficient information needed for them to begin their assessment. After this stage, the application will be ‘Determined’. This is where the Regulator will formally assess the application, decide if the requirements to become a legal operator has been satisfied, and the management systems submitted demonstrate the operator can manage the site compliantly.
Once the permit has successfully be determined, the site will become a legal waste operation and will appear on the public register.