Recycled aggregates are now essential for the construction industry, and the continuation of their supply is key to a buoyant economy, underpinning the provision of housing, transport networks, schools and hospitals. The recent MPA report Construction Aggregates Supply in Great Britain stated that: “In 2022, recycled and secondary sources of aggregates accounted for 30% (73.5 million tonnes) of the overall supply of construction aggregates in Great Britain, one of the highest recycling rates in Europe.” But there are a few critical aspects of these resources to be aware of from a permitting perspective before you go and order that crusher!
Recycling waste for the production of aggregates, whether on a small scale or up to a much grander operation with a wash plant, requires an Environmental Permit issued by the Environment Agency to operate. Fixed site aggregate recycling operations can be permitted through a Standard Rules or a Bespoke Environmental Permit, and it’s important to establish your permitting requirements prior to operating to avoid risks to the environment and human health and subsequent enforcement.
You can apply for a standard rules permit if your operation meets the relevant description and rules. The main SR permit under which you would operate an aggregate recycling facility is ‘SR2010 No 12: treatment of waste to produce soil, soil substitutes and aggregate’ which limits the site to no more than 75,000 tonnes of waste being treated per year.
Conditions to comply with SR2010 No.12 include the operation not being carried out within 500 metres of a European Site or SSSI, not being within an AQMA, being certain distances from a watercourse, well, spring or borehole, not within 250 metres of Great Crested Newts and being at least 50 metres from certain habitats and designated sites such as Ancient Woodland.
As the use of recycled aggregates has grown, more and more aggregate recycling facilities have appeared within quarries, on industrial sites and as stand-alone facilities. Many of these aggregate recycling facilities are now beginning to incorporate wash plants in order to improve the range or quality of their final products. An operation that includes the washing of waste does not meet standard rules and therefore requires a bespoke permit. Bespoke permits are also required for sites with a throughput over 75,000 tonnes and for any site that doesn’t meet the rules within the legislation.
In terms of site infrastructure, from a standard rules perspective, if a site is located within groundwater Source Protection Zones 1 or 2, certain ‘specified wastes’ must be stored and treated on an impermeable surface with a sealed drainage system. If the site is located outside groundwater Source Protection Zones 1 or 2, then all permitted wastes can be stored and treated on hard-standing or impermeable surfaces with the sealed drainage system. There are no generic rules for bespoke permits, as they are always customised to the specific needs of the site and operation.
As the growth of aggregate recycling continues, ensure you prepare for compliance by prioritising Environmental Permitting and ensuring you have the right permit for your operation.
