Metal waste management
Metals
Regulation, sector technical guidance, and how the metal sector’s environmental impacts are monitored.
The metals sector is made up of three sub-sectors: ferrous, non- ferrous and surface treatment installations and covers a wide variety of operators from integrated steel works to small sites producing castings or electroplating components. We regulate large capacity sites and local councils regulate the rest.
The metals sector uses large amounts of energy and produces a high volume of waste and releases significant quantities of pollutants into the air. About a quarter of all steel produced comes from recycled scrap, so the sector is a significant recycler.
Regulation
The majority of coke, iron and steel operations will require a bespoke environmental permit. Certain operations may be eligible for a low impact installation permit: the qualifying criteria for these are explained in the application form.
How the metal sector’s environmental impacts are monitored
The enviro agency carry out permit reviews measuring against the EU best available techniques reference documents (BREFs)
The enviro agency ensure compliance with statutory requirements, such as Environmental Quality Standards for Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) PM10 and PM2.5
The enviro agency help reduce emissions of priority pollutants and priority hazardous substances and regulate installations in Operational Risk Appraisal (OPRA) bands D, E and F to bring them to at least band C performance
the sector is required to measure and report use of natural resources and resource efficiency through environmental management systems (EMS)
The enviro agency and waste directory encourage businesses to take full responsibility for their environmental impact and report on them openly