GovWire

There are 3 classes of landfill, for:

• inert waste
• non-hazardous waste
• hazardous waste

Where you have a permit for a landfill for non-hazardous waste, your permit will tell you if you can also accept the following waste:

• stable non-reactive hazardous waste (SNRHW)
• asbestos
• gypsum-based and other high sulphate bearing materials

You must dispose of these waste types in a separate cell designed for the purpose, where no biodegradable waste is accepted.

Any waste you accept in a separate cell must meet the relevant waste acceptance criteria and leaching limit values.

The types of waste you are permitted to accept are listed by their waste classification code in a schedule to your permit.

You must dispose of waste with a high sulphate content that is hazardous in a landfill for hazardous waste.

Separate cells

Where you dispose of SNRHW, asbestos or high sulphate bearing wastes in a separate cell, you must normally provide evidence that the base, side walls and cap will meet the standards required by the Landfill Directive, annex 1. Your design must be based on a risk assessment and follow the guidance in design and build your landfill site.

Where your risk assessment requires the collection of leachate and landfill gas, the separate cell must normally have its own leachate and landfill gas collection and extraction systems.

Leachate and landfill gas from separate and adjacent cells containing non-hazardous waste may be treated in the same treatment plant. You must assess the risk posed by using the same treatment plant, for example the risk of asbestos fibres being released to air.

Where you separate these waste types from non-hazardous waste, the separation must prevent contact between the:

• different types of waste
• waste products, including leachate and landfill gas

You can separate the cells by:

• construction of a dedicated separating structure
• managed placement of wastes

You must show that the separation will remain effective and that the waste will remain undisturbed.

The separation must not prevent the management of the non-hazardous waste, landfill gas or leachate.

Asbestos

To prevent the uncontrolled release of asbestos fibres, you must not drill through the waste in an asbestos cell.

The upper surface of the asbestos cell must be covered with at least 2 metres of suitable material.

Where you propose to place non-hazardous waste above the asbestos waste, the separation layer must provide a stable foundation so that the separation layer remains effective.

You must operate your asbestos cell to comply with the Council Decision annex, paragraph 2.3.3.

You must check the waste you receive. This is a level 3 waste assessment or on-site verification.

Inspect the waste and check the paperwork

You must visually inspect every load of waste you receive and check the paperwork that accompanies the waste.

The paperwork for the waste is prepared by the waste producer. You must confirm that it includes:

• the waste classification
• a written description of the waste see section 3.5 of the duty of care code of practice
• the basic characterisation
• the results of any basic characterisation or compliance testing, where appropriate

You must refuse any waste that:

• your permit does not allow you to accept
• is not accompanied by the correct paperwork for the waste
• does not look like the waste described in the paperwork

You must tell the Environment Agency if you refuse to accept a load that is not allowed by your permit. Check how and when you need to notify the Environment Agency.

Waste acceptance criteria

You must only accept waste that meets the relevant waste acceptance criteria for your class of landfill. Your class of landfill will be in your permit. The waste acceptance criteria for each class of landfill are specified in the EU Council Decision annex. This includes leaching limit values for:

• inert waste (where it is subject to testing)
• hazardous waste
• stable non-reactive hazardous waste
• non-hazardous waste that can be accepted in cells for stable non-reactive hazardous waste

Higher leaching limit values

You can only accept waste with leaching limit values higher than the published values where your permit allows it. The Council Decision annex, section 2, Waste acceptance criteria describes how this applies and for which substances.

For hazardous waste, you can only apply for higher leaching limit values for air pollution control residues. The Environment Agency will only permit this in exceptional circumstances, for example where there is insufficient capacity elsewhere. You must explain why your application is exceptional to the Environment Agency.

Read the guidance on higher leaching limit values at landfills for inert waste.

Where the Environment Agency is able to permit higher leaching limit values, they will include in your permit the:

• specified waste
• substance
• leaching limit value for that substance

Sample and test the waste you accept

You must sample and test the principal, relevant characteristics to make sure the waste you accept is as described in the paperwork for the waste.

You must use the level 2 testing suite or those identified from the basic characterisation. Check how waste producers carry out waste characterisation.

For homogeneous waste, you must sample and test each waste stream or waste source once a year. Homogenous means the waste generally contains the same or similar components.

For heterogeneous waste, you must sample and test each waste stream or waste source 3 times a year. Heterogeneous means the waste generally contains a wide range of different components.

Where you accept a new waste stream, you must test it at least 3 times for the first year whether it is heterogeneous or homogeneous.

You must keep the sample for at least one month. You should keep the analysis report to support your permit surrender application.

Failed waste samples

If you accept waste and your testing shows that you should not have accepted it, you must report this to the waste producer so that they can review and refine their basic characterisation.

You must notify the Environment Agency of failed samples. You must explain what effect this waste will have on your sites impact on the environment, where you intend to leave it at the site.

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