Waste codes for sewage sludge materials: RPS 231
Updated 24 February 2022
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-codes-for-sewage-sludge-and-sludge-containing-other-materials-rps-231/waste-codes-for-sewage-sludge-and-sludge-containing-other-materials-rps-231
This regulatory position statement (RPS) is about using an S3 or T21 waste exemption or standard rules permit for the storage or treatment of additional sewage sludges, and the associated land spreading of these sludges, under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations (EPR) and the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations (SUiAR).
If you follow the conditions in this RPS you can:
- use additional waste codes and descriptions under an S3 or T21 waste exemption
- use additional waste codes and descriptions under standard rules permits
Conditions you must comply with
You must:
- only use the waste codes and descriptions listed in this RPS
- have registered an S3 or T21 waste exemption for the storage or treatment of sewage sludge and comply with all requirements of that exemption
- hold a storage or land spreading standard rules permit listed in this RPS and comply with all requirements of that permit
- comply with all the other requirements of EPR or SUiAR
- use the waste classification technical guidance (WM3) to classify waste
- only use the waste code 19 08 05 to describe raw untreated sludge from waste water treatment plants
If you’re operating under a bespoke permit you must contact the Environment Agency for advice.
Sludge has the same meaning as described in SUiAR:
Sludge means residual sludge from sewage plants treating domestic or urban waste waters and from other sewage plants treating waste waters of a composition similar to domestic and urban waste waters.
This RPS does not apply to any other activity, even if it is under the same legislation. You may still need other permits or licences for other activities you carry out.
You must keep records for 2 years that show you have complied with this RPS. You must make these records available to the Environment Agency on request.
You must not:
- cause a risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals
- cause a nuisance through noise or odours
- adversely affect the countryside or places of special interest
Additional waste codes you can use
If you follow the conditions in this RPS, you can use these additional waste codes to describe the waste.
| Permit or exemption | Additional waste codes |
|---|---|
| SR2010 No 5 mobile plant for the reclamation, restoration or improvement of land | 19 02 06 sludges from physico-chemical treatment other than those mentioned in 19 02 05 (sewage sludge only). 19 05 03 sewage sludge composted with biodegradable non-wastes only. |
| SR2010 No 6 mobile plant for landspreading of sewage sludge | 19 02 06 sludges from physico-chemical treatment other than those mentioned in 19 02 05 (sewage sludge only). 19 05 03 sewage sludge composted with biodegradable non-wastes only. 19 06 06 digestate from anaerobic treatment of animal and vegetable waste (sewage sludge only). |
| SR2010 No 17 storage of waste to be used in land treatment | 19 02 06 sludges from physico-chemical treatment other than those mentioned in 19 02 05 (sewage sludge only). 19 05 03 sewage sludge composted with biodegradable non-wastes only. 19 06 06 digestate from anaerobic treatment of animal and vegetable waste (sewage sludge only). |
| S3 waste exemption: storing sludge | 19 02 06 sludges from physico-chemical treatment other than those mentioned in 19 02 05 (sewage sludge only). 19 05 03 sewage sludge composted with biodegradable non-wastes only. 19 06 06 digestate from anaerobic treatment of animal and vegetable waste (sewage sludge only). |
| T21 waste exemption: recover waste at a waste water treatment works | 19 02 06 sludges from physico-chemical treatment other than those mentioned in 19 02 05 (sewage sludge only). 19 05 03 sewage sludge composted with biodegradable non-wastes only. 19 06 06 digestate from anaerobic treatment of animal and vegetable waste (sewage sludge only). 19 12 12 wastes from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 11 (sewage sludge only). |
Use of sludge that contains other materials
If you follow the conditions in this RPS you can:
- use these types of waste treatment and the resulting waste codes to supply or spread to agricultural land under the SUiAR
- store these wastes under an S3 exemption or permit such as SR2010 No 17
| Type of waste treatment | Resulting waste code you must use |
|---|---|
| Anaerobic treatment (anaerobic digestion) of sludge with the addition of treated sewage effluent produced at the sludge producer’s waste water treatment plant | 19 06 06 digestate from anaerobic treatment of animal and vegetable waste (sewage sludge only). |
| Aerobic treatment of sludge with non-waste straw, wood or other non-waste plant tissue (composting) | 19 05 03 off-specification compost (sewage sludge only). |
| Stabilisation of sludge using non-waste lime | 19 02 06 sludges from physico-chemical treatment other than those mentioned in 19 02 05 (sewage sludge only). |
| Sludge mixed with non-waste straw, non-waste wood or other non-waste plant tissue material | 19 02 06 sludges from physico-chemical treatment other than those mentioned in 19 02 05 (sewage sludge only). |
| Sludge dewatering and storage with the use of chemical additives to aid dewatering | 19 02 06 sludges from physico-chemical treatment other than those mentioned in 19 02 05 (sewage sludge only). |
Enforcement
A RPS means that the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action against you if:
- your activity meets the description set out in this RPS
- you comply with the conditions set out in this RPS
- your activity does not, and is not likely to, cause environmental pollution or harm human health
When to check back
This RPS will be reviewed by 31 January 2024. You will need to check back then to see if it still applies.
Contact the Environment Agency
General enquiries
National Customer Contact Centre
PO Box 544
Rotherham
S60 1BY
Email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone 03708 506 506
Telephone from outside the UK (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm GMT) +44 (0) 114 282 5312
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.