Types of waste burning units
Definition of a technical unit
The Waste Incineration Directive (WID) applies to the burning of waste that takes place in a ‘technical unit’. Although, any sort of container (for example, a drum) could potentially be described as a ‘technical unit’, under WID the phrase ‘technical unit’ is used for more sophisticated and complex forms of thermal treatment.
Waste is burnt in several different types of devices and each type of device needs to be considered by the regulator on a case-by-case basis.
Incineration plant
An incineration plant is any stationary or mobile plant or equipment that is used for the thermal treatment of waste whether or not the heat generated from combustion is recovered.
Thermal treatment processes include pyrolysis, gasification or plasma processes where substances produced by the treatment are then incinerated.
Co-incineration plant
A co-incineration plant is any stationary or mobile plant that burns waste mainly to generate energy or produce a material product. The plant either:
- uses waste as a regular or additional fuel, or
- thermally treats waste to dispose of it.
Wastes used in a co-incineration plant include:
- tyres
- secondary liquid fuels
- oils
- non-halogenated solvents
- halogenated solvents
- organic acids
- glycols
- distillation residues
- solvent based inks, paints and adhesives
- organic mixtures
- viscous organic liquids
- toxic solvents
- organic sludges
- amines and alkali.
Small waste oil burners (SWOBS)
In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, if you operate a small waste oil burner (SWOB) with a thermal input of more than 0.4 megawatts, you need an environmental permit (England and Wales) or pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit (Northern Ireland), which will be a WID compliant permit.
Defra: Guidance on small waste oil burners and the Waste Incineration Directive (England and Wales)(Adobe PDF - 331KB)
In Scotland, if you operate a SWOB with a net rated thermal input of less than 3 megawatts you need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) Part A permit, which will be a WID compliant permit.
Scottish Government: Waste incineration installations
Drum incinerators
WID does not apply to drum incinerators, but if you use a drum incinerator you may have to register it as an exempt activity.
Environment Agency: Burning waste in an exempt incinerator - Paragraph 29 exemption
Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA): Burning waste in an exempt incinerator - Paragraph 29 exemption
SEPA: Burning waste in an exempt incinerator - Paragraph 29 exemption
Open burning
Bonfires and open burning are not subject to WID. But you will have to comply with other regulations if your bonfire or open burning creates a nuisance or pollution.
Air pollution from furnaces, boilers and bonfires
Air curtain incinerators
Air curtain incinerators (ACI) can only be used for burning waste that is not subject to WID.
Regardless of the type of waste being burnt, an ACI burning more that one tonne per hour would require a Part A (mobile plant) permit. In most cases the use of an would not represent the use of best available technology (BAT), therefore a permit may not be granted.
Environment Agency: Position statement on air curtain incinerators (ACI)
SEPA: Use of Air Curtain Destructors/ Incinerators – TG26
In this guideline:
Types of waste incineration
How do you comply with the Waste Incineration Directive?
When does the Waste Incineration Directive not apply?
Incinerating animal carcasses
Permits and licences for burning waste
Waste incineration further information
Waste incineration legislation
