All waste has the potential to pollute the environment if you do not handle or store it properly.
You may store your own waste under an exemption from environmental permitting. This exemption does not need to be registered.
To store waste other than your own, you may need:
- an environmental permit in England and Wales, or
- a waste management licence (WML) in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Environmental permits
Pollution prevention and control (PPC) permits
In England, Scotland and Wales if your waste is going to be re-used or recycled you can register an exemption to store various amounts of non-hazardous waste securely for varying amounts of time, depending on the waste type.
Environment Agency: Waste exemptions
SEPA: Activities exempt from waste management licensing
In Northern Ireland if are going to store your own waste then you should contact NIEA for further details of the exemptions you may need.
NIEA: Contact us
Use suitable waste containers
You must store all waste materials safely and securely in suitable containers such as skips, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) or drums.
Ensure that waste containers are in good condition.
Clearly label containers with their contents so the correct waste is stored in them and future holders will know what they contain. Make sure the correct waste is stored in them. If you reuse containers make sure that you remove any old labels.
Ensure that waste cannot blow away. If you store waste in skips or other similar containers, ensure that it is covered or netted. Store waste under cover if rain will prevent it from being s reused or cause contaminated run-off.
Separate waste
You must separate hazardous/special waste from other types of waste. You must also keep different types of hazardous/special waste separate.
It is good practice to separate all different waste types. This can increase the value of your waste to recyclers and save you money in disposal costs.
Separate materials that are incompatible, such as chemicals that may react together if they leak.
Contain liquid wastes
You must prevent liquid wastes and pollutants from escaping into drains, watercourses or surrounding ground. Store wastes on impermeable surfaces that are contained within a secondary containment system (SCS). Ideally this should be a bund capable of containing the contents of the storage containers, or a drain to a sealed pit that can contain them.
For more information see our guidance on preventing water pollution and storing chemicals safely.
Protect waste from vandalism
Ensure that your storage facilities are secure against vandalism, theft and accidental damage. You are responsible for any pollution caused by materials that come from your site.
In this guideline:
What is the duty of care?
Who is allowed to deal with your waste?
Records for transferring waste - waste transfer notes
Storing waste
Transporting and disposing of waste
Duty of care further information
Duty of care legislation
