Paragraph 11 - Baling, sorting, shredding etc. of specified wastes

What the legislation says:

11. Carrying on at any place, in respect of waste of a kind listed in column 1 of Table 3A, any of the activities specified in column 2 of that Table in relation to that kind of waste where–

(a) the activity is carried on with a view to the recovery or reuse of the waste (whether or not by the person carrying on the activity listed in column 2 of that Table); and

(b) the total quantity of any particular kind of waste dealt with at that place does not in any period of 7 days exceed the limit specified in relation to that kind of waste in column 3 of that Table.

Table 3A
Kind of waste Activities Maximum total quantity (tonnes per week)
Waste paper or cardboard Baling, sorting or shredding 3,000
Waste textiles Baling, sorting or shredding
 100
Waste plastic Baling, sorting, shredding, densifying or washing 100
Waste glass Sorting, crushing or washing 1,000
Waste steel cans, aluminium cans or aluminium foil Sorting, crushing, pulverising, shredding, compacting or baling 100
Waste food or drink cartons Sorting, crushing, pulverising, shredding, compacting or baling 100
Waste tyres Baling, sorting or shredding 100


Registration Requirements:

Needs to be registered with SEPA but no fee is required.

This exemption can be registered online.

However, establishments and undertakings can still use the paper form should they wish. This form should be sent to the Registrar at your local SEPA area office (addresses are given on the form)

The following questions and answers are provided to help you further understand this exemption:

Q. How long will the registration last? Will it require renewal at any time?
A. The registration of this exemption is not time limited but it can be de-registered by SEPA if it is not managed properly and no longer fulfills the criteria requirements of the exemption or if the activities cause pollution or harm to health. If the activity does comply with the exemption criteria the registration will not have to be renewed except where there is a significant change to the activity.