What the legislation says
27(1) Baling, compacting, crushing, shredding or pulverising waste at the place where it is produced.
27(2) The storage, at the place where it is produced, of waste which is to be submitted to such an operation.
What this means
Paragraph 27 (1) allows waste to be treated where it is produced. Waste may be baled, compacted, crushed, shredded or pulverised prior to being recovered or disposed of.
Paragraph 27 (2) allows the storage of this waste where it is produced, before it is treated under the terms of the above paragraph.
Questions and answers
We have provided the following questions and answers to help you understand if this exemption covers the type of activity that you wish to undertake.
Paragraph 27 (1)
Q. What can I do?
A. You can bale, shred, compact, crush or pulverise waste.
Q. Who can do it?
A. Any company, organisation or individual that registers with us an activity that is exempt under Paragraph 27. 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 which you identify when you register the exemption which must also be the place where the waste is produced.
Q. What kinds of waste can be subjected to these operations?
A. Any controlled waste, except hazardous waste.
Q. I want to treat waste in a similar way to paragraph 27 but not at the site of production. Can I register the activity?
A. You can't register under Paragraph 27 (1) but you might want to consider one of the other exemptions. Paragraph 11 and Paragraph 21 may be particularly relevant if you wish to recover the wastes.
Paragraph 27 (2)
Q. What can I store?
A. You can store the waste before it is baled, compacted, crushed, shredded or pulverised under Paragraph 27 (1).
Q. Where can I store it?
A. Only at the place where the waste is produced.
Examples of activities which are suitable for registration under a paragraph 27 (1) (2) exemption:
- A retailer wishes to bale cardboard boxes and other packaging waste at one of its stores.
The retailer would need to register the store where the baling is carried out.
- A company that deals with confidential waste visits a number of premises and receives waste paper that needs to be shredded to protect their customers' data. The company uses a lorry-mounted shredder which it operates at each of the sites where the paper is produced.
Each of the sites where the paper is shredded will need to be registered as a Paragraph 27 exemption.
Example of an activity which is not suitable for registration under a paragraph 27 (1) (2) exemption:
- A building contractor wishes to crush bricks and concrete arising from demolition works on the site where they are produced.
The use of a crushing plant requires Local Authority authorisation. If your plant is authorised by them you do not need to register again with us. Before you begin you need to check with your local authority what type of authorisation you need.
Have you read and understood what you can and cannot do under this exemption paragraph?
Do you think you meet the requirements of the Paragraph 27 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 links on the left hand side 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.
