Compliance & Environmental Permitting
Operating a scrap metal, recycling or copper cable processing business comes with a range of licensing, waste and environmental compliance responsibilities — and the regulatory framework is changing.
5K Consultancy Ltd provides practical, specialist support to help businesses understand their requirements, identify potential compliance gaps and prepare the applications and documentation they may need.
We support:
Scrap metal traders • Scrap yards • Metal recycling businesses • Copper cable processors • Cable granulation sites • New recycling operations
Not sure where you stand? Start with our £595 Compliance Review.
Scrap Metal Traders
Support with Scrap Metal Dealer Licensing, Waste Carrier/Broker/Dealer requirements, waste documentation and wider compliance responsibilities.
Scrap Yards & Metal Recyclers
Practical support with licences, registrations, waste exemptions, Environmental Permitting, waste documentation and changing regulatory requirements.
Copper Cable Processors
Specialist compliance support for businesses processing and granulating copper cable, including T9 transition assessments, Environmental Permit requirements, waste codes, documentation and Environmental Management Systems.
Not Sure What Your Business Needs?
Start With Our Compliance Review
£595
Before applying for licences or permits, it is important to understand what your individual operation actually requires.
Our Scrap Metal & Cable Recycling Compliance Review looks at your current activities and compliance arrangements and identifies areas that may require attention.
The review includes:
✓ Existing licences, registrations and exemptions
✓ T9 transition assessment
✓ Initial Environmental Permit assessment
✓ Scrap Metal Dealer Licence requirements
✓ Waste Carrier/Broker/Dealer requirements
✓ Waste types and codes
✓ Waste documentation
✓ Digital Waste Tracking readiness
✓ Personal consultation
✓ Written Compliance Action Plan
KNOW WHERE YOU STAND. KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT.
What Happens After Your Compliance Review?
Your review doesn't automatically commit you to purchasing any further services from 5K Consultancy Ltd.
We provide your written Compliance Action Plan identifying the areas we believe require attention and the next steps available to you.
Where further support is required, we can provide a separate quotation for services such as:
Scrap Metal Dealer Licence applications
Waste Carrier/Broker/Dealer registrations
Environmental Permit applications
Environmental Management Systems
Digital Waste Tracking preparation
Waste documentation
Permit variations, transfers and surrenders
You decide what support you would like us to provide.
Environmental Permitting
Standard Rules Environmental Permit Support — From £995
Standard Rules Permit + Environmental Management System — From £1,795
Bespoke Environmental Permit Support — From £2,495
How it works
Our straightforward process helps you understand your compliance position and the steps you may need to take, allowing you to focus on running your business.
1. Tell us about your business
We gather information about your site, activities, waste streams and current compliance arrangements.
2. We review your position
We consider your existing licences, registrations, exemptions and potential permitting requirements.
3. Receive your Compliance Action Plan
We explain what appears to be in place, what may require attention and the recommended next steps.
4. Choose the support you need
If applications, permits or additional compliance work are required, we'll provide a separate quotation.
5. Keep your business moving
You can deal with the actions yourself or ask 5K to provide further support.
Why choose 5K Consultancy Ltd?
Practical compliance support from someone who understands your industry.
Navigating waste, licensing and environmental requirements can be complicated. 5K Consultancy Ltd provides clear, practical support to help you understand your responsibilities and the steps your business may need to take.
Industry-Specific Knowledge
We specialise in supporting scrap metal traders, scrap yards, recycling businesses and copper cable processors.
Understanding how these businesses actually operate allows us to provide more relevant and practical compliance support — rather than a generic, one-size-fits-all service.
Understand What You Need Before You Apply
Not every business requires the same licences, registrations or permits.
Our £595 Compliance Review looks at your individual operation first, helping to identify your current requirements, potential compliance gaps and the next steps you may need to take.
Clear, Practical Guidance
Compliance shouldn't leave you wondering what to do next.
Following your review, you'll receive a written Compliance Action Plan setting out the areas identified, recommended actions and options for further support where required.
Support Beyond the Initial Review
If further work is required, 5K Consultancy Ltd can also provide support with licensing, Environmental Permit applications, Environmental Management Systems, waste documentation and ongoing compliance administration.
KNOW WHERE YOU STAND. KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT
FAQ
Is the T9 Waste Exemption being removed?
Yes. The Government has confirmed that the T9 Recovery of Scrap Metal waste exemption will be removed as part of reforms to the waste exemptions system. Businesses currently relying on T9 should therefore review their operations and prepare for the new requirements.
5K Consultancy Ltd can review your current activities and help you understand what steps your business may need to take.
Will I need an Environmental Permit when T9 is removed?
Potentially, yes. If you carry out waste storage or treatment activities that will no longer be covered by an exemption, you may need an Environmental Permit to continue those activities legally.
The type of permit required will depend on factors such as the activities you carry out, the waste you accept, quantities, treatment processes and your site. Some businesses may qualify for a Standard Rules Environmental Permit, while others may require a Bespoke Environmental Permit.
Our £595 Compliance Review can help identify which requirements are likely to apply to your operation.
What's the difference between a Standard Rules and a Bespoke Environmental Permit?
A Standard Rules Environmental Permit uses a fixed set of conditions designed for common waste activities. Your operation and location must meet the relevant Standard Rules criteria, and the rules themselves cannot be changed to suit your business.
A Bespoke Environmental Permit is required where an operation does not fit the relevant Standard Rules. It is tailored to the particular activities and environmental risks of the site and generally requires a more detailed application and risk assessment.
5K Consultancy Ltd can assess your operation and help determine which route may be appropriate.
Do I need an Environmental Management System?
If you operate under an Environmental Permit, you will normally need a written management system setting out 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 begin operating. Bespoke permit applications generally require a summary of the management system to be submitted as part of the application.
5K Consultancy Ltd can provide support with preparing a site-specific Environmental Management System where required.
What is Digital Waste Tracking?
Digital Waste Tracking is the new government service for recording and tracking waste movements digitally.
From 1 October 2026, permitted or licensed waste receiving sites in England and Wales will be required to report details of controlled waste they receive through the digital service. Records generally need to be submitted within 2 working days. The system is planned to expand to waste collectors, including carriers, brokers and dealers, with mandatory use from October 2027.
5K Consultancy Ltd can help businesses prepare their administrative processes and record keeping for the new requirements.
Do I still need a Scrap Metal Dealer Licence if I have an Environmental Permit?
Yes, where your activities fall within the Scrap Metal Dealers Act requirements. An Environmental Permit does not replace a Scrap Metal Dealer Licence.
If you buy, sell or store scrap metal as a scrap metal dealer in England or Wales, you generally need either a site licence or mobile collector's licence from the relevant local authority. The application itself asks for details of relevant environmental permits or registrations, demonstrating that these are separate requirements.
5K Consultancy Ltd can help you identify the different licences, registrations and permits that may apply to your business.
Are Environment Agency and local authority fees included in your prices?
No. Prices advertised by 5K Consultancy Ltd are for our consultancy, application and administrative support services unless expressly stated otherwise.
Environment Agency application charges, annual permit charges, local authority licence fees and any specialist third-party costs are payable separately by the customer. Environmental Permit applications themselves are subject to Environment Agency application charges.
Where possible, we will explain the expected additional fees before proceeding with an application.
Can 5K guarantee my permit or licence application will be approved?
No. 5K Consultancy Ltd can provide professional support with assessing requirements, preparing applications and supporting documentation, but the final decision rests with the relevant regulatory authority.
We cannot guarantee that an Environmental Permit, licence, registration or other authorisation will be granted.
Our role is to help you understand the requirements and prepare your application as thoroughly and accurately as possible.
Not Sure What Your Business Needs?
Start with a Compliance Review
Waste and environmental compliance can be complex, particularly with changes to waste exemptions, Environmental Permitting and Digital Waste Tracking.
Our £595 Compliance Review gives you a clear starting point. We'll review your current operation, identify potential compliance requirements and provide you with a written Compliance Action Plan setting out the recommended next steps.
KNOW WHERE YOU STAND. KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT.
Further application, permitting and compliance support is available separately where required. Environment Agency, local authority and specialist third-party fees are not included unless expressly stated.