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Posted By DavidHaddon
I require advice from those of you with environmental understanding!
Am I correct in thinking that burning softwood offcuts would be illegal under the EPA as it would be considered to be disposing of "controlled waste".
I have found mention on several websites that the burning of softwoods for heating should be encouraged as it is considered to be "environmentally neutral" but I think this only applies to domestic concerns.
Does anybody know one way or another?
Any advise gratefully received.
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Posted By David Muldoon
David
Not 100% sure of the licensing requirements with respect to the burning/incineration* of waste on land but I'd hazard a guess that a Waste management licence would be required to perform this operation because, as you rightly say, you would be performing a disposal operation.
* this is in itself a nightmare, when is an incinerator not an incinerator?!?!
Have you also considered being in breach of the Clean Air Act 1993 by emitting 'dark smoke'?
Exemptions may apply to both these pieces of legislation but thats dependent on the reason for burning.
If I were you I'd get someone to pick it up and recycle it - better for the environment and stops you getting into any bother. They will of course need a WML to do this.
R's
David
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Posted By Dave Wilson
Burning waste is illegal mate, however if its not classified as a 'waste' product and is recycled then that may be a diffirent matter, I think?
so you dont burn waste then! Only recycle and reclaim which reduces your waste stream?
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Posted By Stuart Nagle
David.
As far as I am aware, burning wood as a waste product on any land is illegal now, unless the waste wood being burnt originated on the land upon which it being burnt.
As far as I know, there are no problems with burning wood as a fuel (i.e. in a woodburning stove) if otherwise it would be treated as waste, provided of course the emmisions are not outside those normally associated with the use of such methods and equipment (i.e. the wood is not contaminated and giving off nasties)... and of course there are no bye-laws or other legal requirememts that prevent it (Contact your Local Authority Environmental dpt for advice)
I am aware that all sorts of 'fuel substitutes are currently being tried, tyres, cattle (dead ones)at Drax or so I have read recently, sludge from sewer works ect etc... I don't know if these 'experiments' need any special licences or monitoring, so perhaps
others with wider knowledge than myself will be able to assist further...
Stuart
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Posted By John Beadle
I believe the burning of timber waste is an authorised process under the Environmental Protection (Prescribed Processes & Substances) Regulations 1991, depending on the size of the incinerator you will have to apply for a permit to operate the incinerator from either the local authority or the Environment agency. You will more than likely have to monitor the emissions form the incinerator. Burning the wood waste is a better option than just disposing of it to save you getting into bother. Other options for your waste would be recycling, if it is virgin timber off-cuts may be of use for chipboard manufacturers. I would consider your options very carefully, but burning it as a source of heat would be a good way to reduce your energy bills in the future.
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Posted By Mike Miller
There are recycling companies who will remove your waste free if it has a recyled value. Timber makes paper and chipboard/plywood etc. As a local authority my employer used such a company who provided recepticles/skips free for us to place our old window/doors and glass/ss sink unit tops etc into. Previously it was costing us a fortune to dispose of it at the local tip where we had to transport it.
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Posted By Peter MacDonald
As a demolition contractor we regularly burn timber under an exemption under section 33 of the EPA 1990, schedule 3 paragraph 30. We can only burn timber produced on site up to a limit of ten tonnes a day. We only burn what is not recyclable or is not contaminated with substances which will produce black, or nuisance smoke. So it can be done. ( although we tend not to be on site too long.)
Given the good quality of the excess wood you have I am sure you do not need to qualify it as a waste if you can find another use for it, therfore burning it for fuel as a means to providing another source of energy is perfectly acceptable and more environmentally sound than tipping it. If you have large quantities you should be able to negotiate a "free tip" with recyclers. i.e they will collect for free although the wood then does become classified as waste and you will have to make sure you are covered with duty of care notes and satisfy yourself that the collector is registered as a waste carrier and/or recycler.
Cheers
Peter
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Posted By DavidHaddon
Thankyou for all of your responses.
It's given me a couple of ideas.
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