What the legislation says
14 (1) Manufacturing finished goods from any of the following kinds of waste:
(a) metal
(b) plastic
(c) glass
(d) ceramics
(e) rubber
(f) textiles
(g) wood
(h) paper; or
(i) cardboard.
14 (2) Storing any such waste intended to be used in such manufacturing if:
(a) the waste is stored at the place of manufacture; and
(b) the total amount of any particular kind of waste stored at that place at any time does not exceed 15,000 tonnes.
What this means
Paragraph 14 (1) (a - i) allows those wastes listed to be directly converted into finished goods.
Paragraph 14 (2) allows storage of up to 15,000 tonnes of those wastes at the place of use.
Questions and answers
We have provided the following questions and answers to help you further understand if this exemption covers the activity that you wish to undertake.
Paragraph 14 (1)
Q. What can I do?
A. You can use waste metal, plastic, glass, ceramics, rubber, textiles, wood, paper or cardboard to manufacture finished goods.
Q. Who can do it?
A. Any company, organisation or individual that registers an activity with us that is exempt under Paragraph 14. By individuals we mean those acting in a business capacity, such as a sole trader. The law does not require an individual acting in a personal capacity to register an exemption.
Q. Where can I do it?
A. At the place or places identified when registering the exemption.
Paragraph 14 (2)
Q. What can I store?
A. You can store up to 15,000 tonnes of any of those waste materials listed.
Q. Where can I store it?
A. Only at the place of manufacture of the finished good
Example of an activity that is suitable for registration under a Paragraph 14 (1) (2) exemption:
- The rubber granulate that is produced from the shredding of waste tyres is supplied to a manufacturer of low impact surfacing for play areas.
Register the use of rubber granulate in the production of the low impact as a Paragraph 14 exemption.
Examples of activities that are not suitable for registration under a Paragraph 14 (1) (2) exemption
- A local authority wishes to construct a barrier from used tyres to reduce the impact of erosion on a retaining wall.
The baling of tyres to construct a wall is not a manufacturing process. A manufacturing process should result in a product that is significantly different from the raw materials from which it was made. Also, tyres themselves are made from a mix of materials, not just rubber, and are not listed in the permitted waste types.
- Waste plastic bottles are chipped to make plastic pellet which is supplied to an injection moulding company.
The chipping of the plastic bottles to produce plastic pellet is not covered by this exemption as the pellets are not finished goods. The activity is likely to require a waste management licence. You need to check this with us before you begin.
Have you understood what you can and cannot do under this exemption?
Do you think you meet the requirements of the Paragraph 14 exemption and wish to proceed with the registration? You need to be confident that you understand and can comply with the terms of the exemption before you apply.
Yes
You can post your completed form back to us, or email it to Environment Agency entering 'Exemption' or Exemptions' in the subject box.
Alternatively you can request a form in the post or register your exempt activity over the phone by calling our National Customer Contact Centre on 08708 506506.
No
Use the navigator control at the top of your screen to return to the full list of simple exemptions.
Note:
If you are a farmer wishing to register this activity using agricultural waste, please use the specific guidance and registration forms for agricultural waste activities or call 0845 6033113.
