Agency sets out new standards for organics sector

In 2017, the European Commission updated its Best Available Techniques (BAT) guidance for large combustion plants in the organics sector. This included measures to reduce emissions and also on storage techniques and has been adopted for use in the UK.

The guidance gave sites, and enforcement agencies such as the Environment Agency,  until 2022 to make the required changes.

Explaining what these changes could be, Charlie Trousdell, chairman of the Organics Recycling Group at the Renewable Energy Association, said costs could be high for some businesses but that overall the measures would enforce standards in the sector and help create a level playing field.

Mr Trousdell explained: “We have known about this for a long time but it is quite onerous and probably some 20% of our sector has already received these notices and had their permits changed. Many are shocked by the many additional rules which are being out in the permits.

“In the worst case if you have external maturation or open-air windrow composting, you could have to cover those windrows and that would be huge capex. If you have a site close to others, you might have to do this and then you will have to get planning consent and work out your capex, which could be millions of pounds, which could in turn lead to an increase in gate fees.”

In the video below, Mr Trousdell explains what is happening in the sector and puts some of the permitting into perspective.

Sites which receive a notice from the Environment Agency will be required to provide information on bioaerosols and general emissions, as well as the design and construction of secondary containment and storage lagoons.

The permitting process will also look into storage facilities on site and measures put in place by operators to reduce ammonia emissions.

Compliance

The new regulations follow other changes recently set out by the EA for other permits, such as those for the storage of mattress and tyre recycling, as well as paper, card and plastic bulking (see letsrecycle.com story).