For Scrap Metal, Metal Recycling & Copper Cable Processing Businesses
Environmental permitting can be complex. 5K Consultancy Ltd provides practical support to help businesses understand their permitting requirements and prepare the applications and supporting documentation required for their operation.
Whether you are moving from a waste exemption, setting up a new recycling operation or reviewing an existing site, we can help you understand the next steps.
STANDARD RULES • BESPOKE PERMITS • ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Do I Need an Environmental Permit?
If your business uses, stores, treats, recycles or disposes of waste, you may require an Environmental Permit from the Environment Agency.
For scrap metal and cable recycling businesses, this can include activities such as:
- Storing waste metal or waste cable
- Sorting and processing scrap metal
- Stripping or granulating waste cable
- Mechanical treatment of waste
- Operating a metal recycling facility
- Operating activities previously covered by a waste exemption
Whether you need a permit — and which type — depends on your individual activities, waste types, quantities, treatment processes and site.
The Environment Agency specifically lists metal recycling, scrap metal and WEEE among activities for which Standard Rules permits may be available.
Not sure which requirements apply?
Start with our £595 Compliance Review.
Which Permit Do I Need?
Standard Rules Environmental Permit
A Standard Rules permit may be suitable where your operation fits a predefined set of Environment Agency rules.
The conditions are fixed and cannot be changed to accommodate an individual operation. Standard Rules applications are generally simpler and less costly than bespoke applications.
5K Application Support — From £995
Bespoke Environmental Permit
If your operation does not meet the conditions of an appropriate Standard Rules permit, you may need a Bespoke Environmental Permit.
Bespoke applications are more detailed and can require additional assessments and supporting documentation specific to the activities and environmental risks at your site.
5K Bespoke Permit Support — From £2,495
Environmental Permit Services
Standard Rule Permit
Application Support
From £995
Suitable for businesses whose operation meets the requirements of an appropriate Standard Rules permit.
Includes:
✓ Initial permit eligibility assessment
✓ Review of relevant Standard Rules
✓ Waste activity and waste code review
✓ Operator and technical competence requirements review
✓ Application preparation
✓ Supporting-document checklist and review
✓ Site information review
✓ Application submission support
✓ Routine Environment Agency correspondence within the agreed scope
Permit + Environmental Management System
Application & EMS Support
From £1,795
For businesses requiring both Standard Rules permit application support and a site-specific written Environmental Management System.
Includes everything in our Standard Rules Permit service, plus:
✓ Site-specific Environmental Management System
✓ Waste acceptance procedures
✓ Storage and segregation procedures
✓ Plant and equipment checks
✓ Environmental controls
✓ Accident and emergency procedures
✓ Training and competence records
✓ Inspection and maintenance records
✓ Incident and complaints procedures
✓ Practical working templates
Bespoke Environmental Permit
For More Complex Operations
From £2,495
For operations that do not meet the conditions of an appropriate Standard Rules permit.
Includes:
✓ Initial bespoke permit assessment
✓ Permit strategy
✓ Waste activity assessment
✓ Operator and technical competence review
✓ Application preparation
✓ Supporting-document requirements review
✓ Environmental risk requirements review
✓ Application submission support
✓ Routine Environment Agency correspondence within the agreed scope
Environmental Management Systems
Your Permit Doesn't End With the Application
Environmental Management Systems
An Environmental Management System (EMS) sets out how your business will manage its permitted activities and minimise environmental risks.
Your system may cover areas including:
Waste acceptance • Storage & segregation • Site security • Plant maintenance • Staff competence • Record keeping • Spill response • Dust & noise • Emergency procedures • Complaints • Incidents • Site inspections
5K Consultancy Ltd can prepare a practical, site-specific Environmental Management System designed around your operation.
The Environment Agency requires permitted operators to implement and maintain their management system once operating.
Fire Prevention Plans
Will I Need a Fire Prevention Plan?
Businesses storing combustible waste may also require a Fire Prevention Plan (FPP).
For relevant permitted sites, an FPP explains how the operator will minimise the likelihood of fire, detect fires, contain and extinguish them and minimise their environmental impact.
Environment Agency fire-prevention guidance specifically covers waste metals, including scrap metal sites, and the Agency may require an FPP with a new permit application.
Fire Prevention Plan requirements are assessed separately and quoted according to the site and operation.
How It Works
We'll guide you through the process and explain what information and documentation is required at each stage.
Fees
Clear Pricing. No Confusion.
Standard Rules Permit Support — From £995
Standard Rules Permit + EMS — From £1,795
Bespoke Environmental Permit Support — From £2,495
Permit Variations, Transfers & Surrenders — From £495
Additional consultancy/correspondence outside agreed scope — £100 per hour
Environment Agency and other regulatory fees are payable separately.
FAQ
How do I know whether I need a Standard Rules or Bespoke Permit?
A Standard Rules Environmental Permit may be suitable if your activities, waste types, quantities and site location meet all the conditions of an existing set of Environment Agency Standard Rules. These conditions are fixed and cannot be changed to suit an individual operation.
If your activities or site do not meet the relevant Standard Rules criteria, you will normally need to apply for a Bespoke Environmental Permit. Bespoke applications are assessed individually and may require more detailed risk assessments and supporting information.
5K Consultancy Ltd can review your proposed activities and help identify which permitting route may be appropriate.
How long does an Environmental Permit application take?
Timescales vary depending on the type and complexity of the application, whether consultation is required and whether the Environment Agency needs additional information.
For applications requiring consultation, the Environment Agency aims to make permit decisions within 16 weeks, although complex or high-public-interest applications can take longer.
It is therefore important to start the permitting process as early as possible and provide a complete application with the required supporting documentation.
What information will you need from me?
The information required depends on your proposed activities and the type of permit.
Typically, we will need information about your:
Business and legal operator • Site address and location • Waste types and waste codes • Quantities of waste • Storage arrangements • Treatment and processing activities • Plant and equipment • Site layout • Existing licences, permits and exemptions • Technical competence arrangements
Additional information or supporting assessments may be required depending on the operation and permit type. The Environment Agency's application process specifically requires information about the activity, site, operator competence and supporting documents relevant to the application.
5K will provide you with a clear information checklist before beginning your application.
Do I need an Environmental Management System?
Yes, if you operate under an Environmental Permit. You will need a written management system explaining how you will manage your permitted activities and minimise the risk of pollution.
For a Standard Rules permit, you do not normally have to submit a management-system summary with the application, but the system must be in place before you start operating.
For a Bespoke Permit, a summary of the management system is generally submitted as part of the application.
5K Consultancy Ltd can prepare a practical, site-specific Environmental Management System (EMS) as part of our Permit + EMS service.
Will I need a Fire Prevention Plan?
If your waste activity involves the storage of combustible waste, you may need a Fire Prevention Plan (FPP) as part of your Environmental Permit application.
The plan sets out how your business will reduce the risk of fire and how a fire would be detected, contained and managed to minimise environmental impact. Environment Agency guidance states that applicants for waste activities planning to store combustible waste need to prepare and submit a Fire Prevention Plan.
Because requirements depend on the individual site and activities, Fire Prevention Plan support is assessed and quoted separately by 5K Consultancy Ltd.
What is technical competence?
Operators of certain permitted waste facilities must demonstrate that they have the technical competence necessary to operate the site correctly and comply with their Environmental Permit.
This includes having appropriately competent people involved in managing the permitted activities and maintaining the necessary training, qualifications and records.
Your Environmental Management System must also identify who is technically competent and set out responsibilities and relevant staff training arrangements.
5K can help you identify the technical competence requirements that may apply to your proposed operation, although any required qualifications or training are separate from our consultancy service.
Are Environment Agency fees included?
No. 5K Consultancy Ltd's advertised prices cover our consultancy and application support services unless specifically stated otherwise.
The Environment Agency charges its own application fee for a new Environmental Permit. If a permit is granted, an annual subsistence charge will also normally apply. The amount depends on the activity and type of permit.
Environment Agency charges and any specialist third-party costs are therefore payable separately from 5K Consultancy Ltd's fees.
Can 5K guarantee my Environmental Permit will be granted?
No. The final decision on whether to grant an Environmental Permit rests entirely with the Environment Agency.
5K Consultancy Ltd can help assess your requirements, prepare your application and supporting documentation and assist with routine correspondence during the determination process, but we cannot guarantee that an application will be approved.
Even the Environment Agency's own pre-application service does not confirm that a proposal is suitable or likely to be approved.
Our role is to help you understand the requirements and prepare your application as thoroughly and accurately as possible.
Not Sure Which Permit You Need?
Start With a £595 Compliance Review
Before spending money on an Environmental Permit application, we'll help you establish whether your operation appears to require a permit and which permitting route may be appropriate.
You'll receive a written Compliance Action Plan setting out the areas identified and recommended next steps.
KNOW WHERE YOU STAND. KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT.