EA publish guidance on appropriate measures for biological waste treatment
The Environment Agency has published guidance on the appropriate measures for permitted waste management facilities that handle organic waste. This guidance explains the standards (appropriate measures) that are relevant to permitted waste management facilities in England. Facilities that operate under a relevant waste exemption can also use this guidance.
This guidance applies to aerobic and anaerobic processes including composting, Anaerobic Digestion, Mechnical and biological treatment (MBT) and treating sewage sludge using any biological process.
The EA consulted on this guidance with the consultation closing in August 2020. You can see the REA response here.
The guidance sets out:
- When appropriate measures apply.
- Definitions.
- Wastes suitable for biological treatment.
- Issues to consider for site location, design and capacity (including containment).
- General management system requirements.
- Waste pre-acceptance, acceptance and tracking.
- Waste storage, segregation, transfer and handling.
- Appropriate measures for waste treatment including monitoring requirements and optimal parameters with different sections for different treatment processes but including all stages of waste treatment, process control and for AD biogas production, management, treatment and storage.
- Measures relating to outputs from the process.
- Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations (COMAH) and if they apply.
- Control of emissions including requirements for emissions inventory and monitoring of emissions to air, land, water, odour, bioaerosols and noise & vibration.
- Process efficiency – water, energy and raw materials used and residues and waste water generated.
- Assessment of bespoke wastes.
You can access the guidance here.
We welcome any comments or questions from members, please let Jenny know ([email protected]).
We have put together a pdf version of this guidance for members, please login to access it below.
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