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  • Use of waste on single site for soil improvement
  • Use of waste on single site for soil improvement

Use of waste on single site for soil improvement

This activity applies to the use of waste on land for the purpose of soil improvement (single location).

Authorisation level

Registration

Fit and Proper Person tests

Fit and Proper Person tests apply to this activity. You will be asked in your application if you have any relevant convictions held by you or any additional persons.

Read more about Fit and Proper Person tests in our guidance on who can hold an authorisation.

Standard conditions

Your registration application will only be granted if you can confirm you are able to comply with the standard conditions set out below.

If you carry out an activity under a registration authorisation you must comply with the standard conditions. It is an offence if you do not comply with the conditions.

SEPA will not authorise this activity if it poses an unacceptable risk to the environment.

If you cannot comply with these standard conditions but still want to use waste on land for the purposes of soil improvement, you may be authorised to do so with a permit. Find out about permits for use of waste on multiple sites for soil improvement.

  1. The Authorised Person must have a written management system in place.
  2. The Authorised Person must regularly carry out a review of the management system and its effectiveness in terms of achieving compliance with the conditions of the authorisation.
  3. Only the authorised wastes listed in Table 1 falling with the Waste Code and the description and for the stated land use can be accepted at the Authorised Place.

    Table 1. Waste codes for waste for soil improvement and associated land use

    Waste Code Authorised Wastes Land use
    01 04 10 Non-hazardous, dusty and powdery wastes from physical and chemical processing of non-metalliferous minerals: Calcareous, basaltic or ultrabasic materials only Any
    01 04 12 Calcium carbonate from the washing / cleaning of hectorite Any
    02 01 03 Plant tissue waste from agriculture, horticulture and forestry only Any
    02 01 06 Animal faeces, urine and manure (including spoiled straw), effluent, collected separately and treated off-site from agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, forestry, hunting and fishing: Farmyard manure and slurry, horse manure and soiled bedding made from plant tissue only Agricultural
    02 01 99 Straw, wood or paper-based bedding waste, slurry or dirty water from stables, zoos, animal parks or livestock markets, animal faeces, urine and manure Agricultural
    02 01 99 Spent mushroom compost Any
    02 02 03 Materials unsuitable for consumption or processing from abattoirs, poultry preparation plants or fish preparation plants; wash waters and sludges from abattoirs, poultry preparation plants or fish preparation plants; and shells from shellfish processing Agricultural
    02 03 01 Sludges from washing, cleaning, peeling, centrifuging and separation Agricultural
    02 03 04 Biodegradable materials unsuitable for consumption and processing only Agricultural
    02 03 05 Sludges from on-site effluent treatment Agricultural
    02 03 99 Soil from cleaning and washing fruit and vegetables only Any
    02 04 01 Soil from cleaning and washing beet Any
    02 04 02 Off-specification calcium carbonate Any
    02 04 03 Sludges from on-site treatment Agricultural
    02 04 99 Biodegradable wastes not otherwise specified from the processing of sugar Agricultural
    02 05 01 Biodegradable materials unsuitable for consumption and processing Agricultural
    02 05 02 Sludges from on-site effluent treatment Agricultural
    02 05 99 Biodegradable wastes not otherwise specified from the processing of dairy products Agricultural
    02 06 01 Biodegradable materials unsuitable for consumption and processing Agricultural
    02 06 03 Sludges from on-site effluent treatment Agricultural
    02 06 99 Biodegradable wastes not otherwise specified from the baking and confectionary industry Agricultural
    02 07 01 Wastes from washing, cleaning and mechanical reduction of raw materials Agricultural
    02 07 02 Wastes from spirits distillation Agricultural
    02 07 03 Wastes from chemical treatment Agricultural
    02 07 04 Biodegradable materials unsuitable for consumption or processing Agricultural
    02 07 05 Sludges from on-site effluent treatment Agricultural
    03 01 01 Untreated waste bark and cork Any
    03 01 05 Untreated sawdust shavings, cuttings, wood, particle board other than those mentioned in 03 01 04 Any
    03 03 01 Waste bark and wood, and pulp from virgin timber only Non-agricultural
    03 03 05 De-inked paper sludge and de-inked paper pulp from paper recycling only Any
    03 03 09 Lime mud waste Any
    03 03 11 Sludges from on-site effluent treatment plants treating only virgin paper wastes which contain no inks Agricultural
    04 01 07 Sludges from on-site effluent treatment free of chromium Agricultural
    04 02 10 Organic matter from natural products Any
    04 02 15 Biodegradable wastes from finishing other than those containing organic solvents Any
    04 02 20 Sludges from on-site effluent treatment other than those mentioned in 04 02 19 Agricultural
    04 02 21 Waste from unprocessed biodegradable textile fibres Any
    04 02 22 Waste from processed biodegradable textile fibres Any
    06 01 99 Gypsum Agricultural
    07 07 12 Sludges from on site effluent treatment other than those mentioned in 07 07 11 Agricultural
    10 01 01 Bottom ash from boilers burning untreated biodegradable waste only Any
    10 01 03 Fly ash from boilers burning untreated biodegradable waste only Agricultural
    10 13 04 Wastes from the calcination and hydration of lime: Calcium carbonate and gypsum only Any
    17 05 04 Peat, subsoil and topsoil other than those mentioned in 17 05 03 Any
    17 05 06 Dredging Spoil other than those mentioned in 17 05 05 Any
    19 01 12 Bottom ash other than those mentioned in 19 01 11: from the incineration of pig or poultry carcasses at premises used for agriculture only Any
    19 01 14 Fly ash other than those mentioned in 19 01 13: from the incineration of pig or poultry carcasses at premises used for agriculture only Any
    19 05 03 Off-specification compost consisting only of biodegradable waste Any
    19 05 99 Liquor from aerobic treatment of source segregated biodegradable waste only Any
    19 06 03 Liquor from anaerobic treatment of municipal waste: biodegradable waste only Agricultural
    19 06 04 Digestate from anaerobic treatment of municipal waste: biodegradable waste only Any
    19 06 05 Liquor from anaerobic treatment of animal and vegetable waste Agricultural
    19 06 06 Digestate from anaerobic treatment of animal and vegetable waste Any
    19 08 05 Sludges from treatment of urban waste water: treated sludge only Any
    19 09 02 Sludges from water clarification Any
    20 02 01 Biodegradable waste Any
    20 02 02 Soil and stones Any
  4. Sewage sludge must not be accepted at the Authorised Place unless it has been subject to conventional or enhanced treatment.
  5. All waste accepted at the Authorised Place must be inspected to ensure it meets the types and quantities authorised.
  6. All waste soil accepted at the Authorised Place must be accompanied by a written assessment containing the following details:
    1. any pollutants that could be present in the waste;
    2. any hazardous properties based on representative sampling and analysis; and
    3. confirmation of the appropriate waste code.
  7. Waste identified at the Authorised Place which is not authorised must be:
    1. stored on an impermeable surface;
    2. stored separately from other waste; and
    3. removed from the authorised place as soon as reasonably practicable.
  8. All reasonable precautions must be taken to ensure that:
    1. the waste cannot escape, and
    2. members of the public are unable to gain access to the waste.
  9. All liquid waste storage areas must be clearly labelled to allow the identification of the waste type(s) being stored.
  10. The maximum storage limit of 3000 tonnes must not be exceeded at any time.
  11. Unless stored indoors, such that no waste can escape from the building, waste must not be stored where:
    1. the storage is within 10 metres from any watercourse or loch (as measured from the top of the bank), wetland, transitional or coastal water (as measured from the shoreline);
    2. the storage is within 50 metres from any spring that supplies water for human consumption, or well or borehole that is not capped in such a way as to prevent water ingress;
    3. the land is waterlogged;
    4. the land has an average soil depth of less than 40 centimetres and overlies gravel or fissured rock, unless stored in an impermeable container; or
    5. the land is sloping unless any run-off is intercepted to prevent it from entering any watercourse or loch, wetland, transitional or coastal water.
  12. Any storage system for waste must be maintained in such a condition that no waste escapes from the system.
  13. When liquid waste is being transferred to a tank, bowser or spreading equipment, all reasonable steps to must be take to prevent any spillage or leakage.
  14. Waste must not be stored for longer than six months before being used.
  15. Waste must not be mixed with any material which does not provide soil improvement.
  16. The use of waste at the Authorised Place must only be carried out where the quantities used and the process followed result in soil improvement.
  17. Sewage sludge must not be applied if any fruit or vegetable crops, other than fruit trees, are being grown or harvested in the application area.
  18. Conventionally treated sewage sludge must be deep injected or ploughed down when applied to land which is to be used for grazing.
  19. Waste must not be applied to land:
    1. in such amounts that the Nitrogen limit value is exceeded;
    2. in excess of the amount required to maintain the soil phosphorous status at acceptable agronomic levels;
    3. where the pH value of the soil is less than 5 unless the waste being used will increase the pH of the soil to 5 or above;
    4. where the application of the waste will cause the soil pH to fall below 5;
    5. during heavy rainfall or where heavy rainfall is forecast within 24 hours;
    6. that is within 10 metres from any watercourse or loch (as measured from the top of the bank), wetland, transitional or coastal water (as measured from the shoreline), or opening into a surface water drainage system;
    7. that is within 50 metres from any spring that supplies water for human consumption, or well or borehole that is not capped in such a way as to prevent water ingress;
    8. that is waterlogged, snow covered or frozen;
    9. that has an average soil depth of less than 40 centimetres and overlies gravel or fissured rock, except where use is for forestry operations; or
    10. that is sloping unless any run-off is intercepted to prevent it from entering any watercourse or loch, wetland, transitional or coastal water.
  20. Waste must not be applied to any land where the concentration in the soil of any of the elements listed in Table 2 exceeds the limit specified at the appropriate pH values or where the application of waste would lead to such an exceedance.
  21. Waste must not be applied to land where the rate of addition to the land of any of the elements listed in Table 2 exceeds the limit specified.

    Table 2. Maximum concentrations and addition rates

    Potentially Toxic Elements (Pte) Maximum Concentration of Pte in Soil (Mg/Kg Dry Solid)       Maximum Annual Rate of Pte Addition (Kg/Ha)
      pH 5.0 - <5.5 pH 5.5 - < 6.0 pH 6.0 - 7.0 pH > 7.0  
    Copper 80 100 135 200 7.5
    Nickel 50 60 75 110 3
    Cadmium 0.5 0.5 1 1.5 0.15
    Zinc 200 200 200 200 15
    Lead 300 300 300 300 15
    Mercury 1 1 1 1 0.1
  22. Every 5 years, all land on which waste is to be spread must have the soil tested and analysed for the following parameters:
    1. soil pH;
    2. extractable phosphorus;
    3. extractable potassium;
    4. soil structure;
    5. extractable magnesium (mg/l dry weight) if claimed to be of benefit; and
    6. any potentially toxic elements (PTE) (mg/kg dry weight) that in previous analysis has shown to exceed 90% of the relevant maximum concentration given in Table 2.
  23. Every 10 years, all land on which waste is to be spread must have the soil tested and analysed for the following parameters:
    1. total carbon or organic matter;
    2. cadmium;
    3. copper;
    4. mercury;
    5. nickel
    6. lead; and
    7. zinc.
  24. Soil sampling must be carried out no more than one year prior to the first application of waste to that land.
  25. All sewage sludge to be spread must be tested for the following parameters not more than 6 months before application to land and thereafter, every 6 months:
    1. pH;
    2. percentage content of dry matter;
    3. percentage content of organic matter;
    4. percentage content of nitrogen;
    5. percentage content of phosphorus;
    6. chromium;
    7. copper;
    8. nickel;
    9. cadmium;
    10. zinc;
    11. lead; and
    12. mercury.
  26. All other wastes to be spread must be tested for the following parameters not more than 6 months before application to land and thereafter, every 6 months:
    1. ph;
    2. percentage content of dry matter;
    3. percentage content of organic matter or total carbon;
    4. total nitrogen;
    5. total phosphorus;
    6. total potassium;
    7. total magnesium;
    8. ammonium nitrogen or readily available nitrogen;
    9. cadmium;
    10. zinc;
    11. lead;
    12. mercury;
    13. chromium;
    14. copper; and
    15. nickel.
  27. If the process that generates the waste is altered such that the characteristics of the waste may be altered, then the waste must be sampled immediately after this change has taken place.
  28. Measures must be taken to prevent, or where that is not practicable, minimise:
    1. odour;
    2. noise;
    3. dust;
    4. litter; and
    5. the presence of vermin;
    arising from the authorised activities.
  29. Offensive odours from the authorised activities as perceived by a SEPA Officer must not be emitted beyond the boundary of the Authorised Place.
  30. Noise from the authorised activities, which has a significant impact on the environment, people or property, must not be emitted beyond the boundary of the Authorised Place.
  31. Dust from the authorised activities, which has a significant impact on the environment, people or property, must not be emitted beyond the boundary of the Authorised Place.
  32. Litter from the authorised activities, which has a significant impact on the environment, people or property, must not be emitted beyond the boundary of the Authorised Place.
  33. Bioaerosols from the authorised activities, which have a significant impact on the environment, people or property, must not be emitted beyond the boundary of the Authorised Place.
  34. Waste must not be burned at the Authorised Place.
  35. SEPA must be notified via its pollution hotline contact telephone number as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 24 hours of identification of an event, of any of the following:
    1. an event that has caused or could cause adverse impact to the environment or harm to human health;
    2. an event that results, or could result, in an emission to the environment that is not authorised;
    3. an event that has caused a breach of a condition of this authorisation.
    In this condition, the meaning of ‘event’ is as defined in the Interpretation of Terms of this authorisation.
  36. All measures that are reasonably practicable must be taken to stop an event and to minimise its effect on the environment.
  37. Within 14 days of an event a report must be submitted to SEPA detailing:
    1. the reason(s) for the event;
    2. the action(s) taken to stop the event and minimise the impacts; and
    3. the action(s) taken to prevent the event from recurring.
  38. All information recorded, kept or submitted to SEPA in accordance with a condition of this authorisation must be:
    1. true and accurate;
    2. kept for a minimum of six years; and
    3. provided to SEPA upon request.
  39. Records must be kept of the following:
    1. all soil samples taken; and
    2. all waste samples taken.
  40. Each year on the 28th January, the authorisation holder must submit to SEPA:
    1. details of the areas where waste has been recovered to land;
    2. details of the wastes recovered to land; and
    3. evidence that the activities resulted in soil improvement;
    for the previous calendar year.
  41. For each calendar year the information detailed in Appendix 1 must be submitted to SEPA on or before 28th January the following year.
  42. The information detailed in Appendix 1 must be submitted to SEPA via email, in the excel spreadsheet supplied by SEPA, to waste.data@sepa.org.uk

Fees and charges

Application fee to apply for authorisation of a new activity: £874 (Band 8)

An annual activity fee applies to this activity. Read our charging information for further information on annual activity fees.

How to apply

Step 1: Download your activity form

You can apply for a new registration for this activity by downloading and completing the following application forms:

Step 2: Provide supporting information

For a new registration you’ll also need to provide the following supporting information:

  • Location plan(s)
  • Information on the previous and current use of the area
  • Infrastructure plan
  • Information on your proposed waste acceptance process
  • Information on your waste storage
  • Information on your process(es) for waste use
  • Environmental risk assessment

Step 3: Submit your application

You can submit your completed application by email or by post to:

Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Unit 6
Parklands Avenue
Eurocentral
Holytown
Motherwell
ML1 4WQ

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