Appendix B – Waste Facility Categories

1. A range of different waste management facilities have been classified based on the types of activities involved. These categories should be used to inform the suitability of the allocation sites for waste activities.

Category 1: Activities requiring open sites or ancillary open areas (possibly involving biological treatment)

Description / overview	Activities requiring space for storage of waste and machinery (e.g. recycling crusher and screener; vehicle dismantlers). Open sites can accommodate processing equipment (e.g. storage containers/skips, loaders for shipment) Activities similar to some agricultural practices require large open spaces (e.g. composting plants using open air windrows (elongated piles)). Large areas of land are converted to hard-standing areas for the running of machinery, and soil and ground water protection measures Small proportion of the site may include building (e.g. for staff facilities)
Waste facilities	Open windrow composting (composting sites typically require sites 2-3 hectares) Aggregate recycling / construction and demolition waste processing (typically require 2 hectares or greater) Processing incinerator bottom ash (IBA) End of Life Vehicle (ELV) processing / scrap metal yard Soil hospital (remediation of contaminated soils) Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) or Civic Amenity Site (typically approximately 0.8hectare site required)
Examples of waste streams handled	Unsorted or segregated household waste Construction waste (soils, rubble etc) Incinerator bottom ash Scrap vehicles Biodegradable municipal solid wastes and industrial wastes converted to composted products (garden type waste collected separately or co-collected with kitchen waste that is suitable for open windrow composting)
Appropriate locations for these activities (including site requirements)	Typically located in rural or urban fringe sites (where access is good). Close proximity to development areas (markets) is preferable (it is often not viable to transport materials such as recycled aggregate long distances). Larger scale centralised composting facilities can be located at selected composting sites, but smaller facilities can be located at landfill sites, sewage treatment works, industrial sites and transfer stations. Small scale composting operations are also located on farms, due to their ability to exploit existing infrastructure, equipment, and labour associated with normal farm activities¹¹². Aggregate recycling sites and ELV sites can be located on industrial estates alongside heavier industrial uses (affordable sites of an adequate size can be very difficult to obtain for these uses however). Aggregate recycling activities (usually temporary operations) can also be located at mineral workings and landfill sites and at demolition and construction sites where the spoil is to be used in the project itself. Rail sidings can be used for activities whereby materials are loaded for shipment to market (transhipment of waste). Household Waste Recycling Centres and Civic Amenity sites require good access from the primary road network and sufficient vehicle queuing space.
Locations where activities would be unsuitable	Would not normally be compatible with a business park environment or an urban setting, or close to villages. An appropriate distance of 'buffer' would be required between operations and sensitive receptors. Should be located at appropriate distances from sensitive habitats (where there are potential dust and bioaerosol impacts).

Category 2: Activities requiring a mix of enclosed buildings/plant and open ancillary areas (possibly involving biological treatment)

Description / overview	Activities which involve temporary storage of waste usually consist of buildings where vehicles deliver waste either onto the floor, into bays, or into compaction units. Inert wastes in particular may be transferred to such sites and stored in the open. Facilities may require extensive plant and specialist machinery. For instance, hard standing areas to site recycling bins, skips and possibly compactors which can be fully / partially enclosed or open. Unsorted waste may be stored in open bunkers or skips, housed within a building. Facilities may be co-located on sites (e.g. storage alongside a Waste Transfer Station). Sites usually require a minimum of 0.5 hectares (but size depends on throughput).
Waste facilities	Outdoor Waste Transfer Station (where space required for open storage). Anaerobic digestion (AD) plant (small scale) (agricultural / rural locations) (unsorted waste, segregated waste and residual waste may be stored in open bunkers, possibly outside). Enclosed composting systems¹¹³. MBT (Mechanical Biological Treatment) plant (including biological treatment e.g. AD)¹¹⁴. Sites for aggregating waste wood (sorting and processing). Biological treatment of liquid waste and leachate (can involve enclosed buildings and tanks in open areas). Wastewater Treatment Works.
Examples of waste streams handled	Unsorted or segregated household or commercial waste Green waste Specialist wastes (e.g. liquid waste and leachate)
Appropriate locations for these activities (including site requirements)	Enclosed composting facilities are suited to areas allocated for employment / industrial uses in urban areas and are compatible with the more intensive B2 activities under the Use Classes Order. Small scale AD plants (throughput of circa 5000 tonnes per annum) can be located on sites less than 0.5 hectares (Wastewater Treatment Works in particular can provide suitable locations). Facilities to recycle agricultural waste can be located on farms (digestate from AD plants may be used by neighbouring farms). Options for locating wastewater treatment plant are very limited and are typically linked to existing infrastructure.
Locations where activities would be unsuitable	An appropriate distance of 'buffer' would be required between operations producing bioaerosols / odours, and sensitive receptors. Should be located at appropriate distances from sensitive habitats (where there are potential dust and bioaerosol impacts). Facilities involving open-air activities with potential to generate noise would not normally be compatible with a business park environment, an urban setting, or close to villages.

Category 3: Activities requiring enclosed industrial premises (small scale)

Description / overview	Waste developments are increasingly enclosed within new or existing structures, often sited on brownfield or industrial land; allowing for a large proportion of the perceived issues / problems to be mitigated for, i.e. dust and noise. 'Small scale' enclosed premises are typically <1-2 hectares (throughput of approx. 50,000 tonnes per annum). Usually located on industrial estates. Enclosing activities helps to mitigate against many noise / odour issues
Waste facilities	Plant for Refused Derived Fuel production (small scale e.g. Mechanical Heat Treatment / Autoclaving)¹¹⁵. Autoclaving is a pressurised steam treatment process that can produce fuel pellets or pulp (by 'cooking' waste). Dis-assembly and re-manufacturing plant (Waste Electronic & Electrical Equipment recycling). Enclosed waste transfer station (designed to process dry, separated recyclables). Small-scale recyclables processing facility.
Examples of waste streams handled	All types of non-hazardous waste typically handled (e.g. dry mixed recyclables) Inert waste may also be handled (e.g. sorting of construction waste, glass etc) Clean waste wood can be handled for recycling Waste Electronic & Electrical Equipment
Appropriate locations for these activities (including site requirements)	As activities can be similar to other industrial activity, these facilities can be located on land previously used for general (B2) industrial activities or B1 uses (light industry appropriate in a residential area). The requirement for good transport infrastructure is essential and therefore, where possible, should be located close to the primary road network or have potential access to rail. Placement of sites near to the source of waste is increasingly important, by limiting movement of waste from source the impact of sites decreases.
Locations where activities would be unsuitable	Sites with existing access issues should be avoided where possible. Areas should be avoided where facilities seeking expansion of existing hardstanding would encroach into flood zones.

Category 4: Activities requiring enclosed industrial premises (large scale)

Description / overview	Large buildings required to process mixed waste primarily via mechanical and / or biological means. Various physical separation and waste reduction techniques can be used either as standalone operations or in combination. Such activities are typically housed in an enclosed 'warehouse' type building. 'Large scale' enclosed premises typically require site of 2-4 hectares (throughput can be up
Waste facilities	Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) (for dry recyclables). Enclosed Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant (large scale). Enclosed MBT (Mechanical Biological Treatment) (large scale integrated plant)¹¹⁶.
Examples of waste streams handled	Unsorted ‘black bag’ wastes (AD and MBT) Residual household waste following doorstep separation of dry recyclables / green waste Residual waste following separation of recyclables / organics at another facility.
Appropriate locations for these activities (including site requirements)	Large scale processing operations can take place in a range of buildings and at different locations. Preference should be given to industrial or degraded sites or sites on or close to existing waste management facilities. B1 / B2 and B8 use class designations may potentially be acceptable. Sites need to be suitable for use by HGVs. Consideration should be given to the potential for co-location with rail or barge transfer operations.
Locations where activities would be unsuitable	Mixed household waste has the potential to cause additional nuisance from litter, odour and leachate. The planning and siting considerations will therefore be different to dry recyclables processing. Locating sites close to residential development should be avoided. Some operations which involve mechanical processing and external loading and unloading of material may be inherently noisy which will also affect the choice of site. Sites with existing access issues should be avoided where possible. Areas should be avoided where facilities seeking expansion of existing hardstanding would encroach into flood zones.

Category 5: Activities requiring enclosed building with stack (small scale)

Description / overview	Plants with a throughput of approx. 50,000 tonnes per annum. Smaller scale thermal treatment facilities are often designed to receive a specific component of the waste stream. Can offer a waste management option which is more likely to be accepted by local residents. Energy is generated. Often combustion chambers are fired up according to the need to respond to fluctuations in the supply of waste. Gasification is a thermal process in which carbon is converted to a syngas leaving a solid residue. Pyrolysis takes place either in the complete absence of oxygen or with limited oxygen. Require site of <1-2 hectares.
Waste facilities	Pyrolysis and gasification technologies (advanced thermal treatment). Small scale incinerator. Small thermal plants (Combined Heat & Power (CHP) plant)¹¹⁷. Small thermal treatment plants (furnaces or kilns) are also used to treat clinical wastes at hospital sites.
Examples of waste streams handled	Capable of handling a wide range of waste materials. Can be specifically designed to take a pre-processed feedstock or refuse derived fuel (RDF) (see categories 3 and 4 above). Can be used to treat clinical wastes at hospital sites. Unburned residue (bottom ash) is produced after combustible material is burnt. There are three products of pyrolysis: gas, liquid and a solid known as char
Appropriate locations for these activities (including site requirements)	Localities which are as close as possible to the source of waste arisings in order to minimise transport. Sites which offer the potential for CHP and export of energy to businesses which would otherwise use fossil fuel sources. May also be considered as part of large scale residential developments. Can be more suited to rural areas and areas of dispersed population centres than large-scale facilities. Most small thermal plants have been designed to treat specific industrial waste streams as part of combined heat and power (CHP) arrangements. CHP may be connected to existing decentralised energy networks in town and city centres for instance. Preference should be given to areas allocated for business use or in traditional commercial/industrial urban areas. Existing waste sites should also be considered. Plants can be located alongside modern industrial buildings or as a part of business parks where CHP potential can be developed. Pyrolysis and gasification- the scale of individual buildings and process components is likely to be compatible with most small / medium sized industrial activities.
Locations where activities would be unsuitable	Should be located appropriate distances from sensitive habitats and other sensitive receptors (e.g. residential). Safeguarding zones around aerodromes where building height is restricted should be avoided. Pyrolysis and gasification facilities should avoid sites closer than 250m of housing etc where possible or demonstrate emission standards can be met where closer.

Category 6: Activities requiring enclosed building with stack (large scale)

Description / overview	Plants with a throughput of approx. 200,000 tonnes per annum. Plants typically designed to handle large volumes of mixed waste following the ‘mass combustion’ approach. Designed to burn waste as efficiently as possible, usually recovering energy. The volume of waste needing disposal following treatment is reduced by approximately 90%, reducing the need for landfill. The whole process is typically contained within a single building. Legislation requires that all new and existing plants operate to extremely high environmental standards. Require site of 2-5 hectares.
Waste facilities	Energy Recovery Facility ('mass burn' with energy generation)¹¹⁸; Fluidised bed incinerators generally require some form of refuse derived fuel (RDF). Biomass plant (including proportion of waste biomass feedstock)
Examples of waste streams handled	Can receive between 90,000 and 600,000 tonnes of waste per year. Capable of handling a wide range of waste materials. Contaminated paper (e.g. with grease from food) can be more suited to energy recovery.
Appropriate locations for these activities (including site requirements)	Often located in or near urban areas. Compatible with the more intensive Class B2 activities under the Use Classes Order. Existing waste sites should also be considered. Should be located as close as possible to the source of waste arisings in order to minimise transport. Should be located on sites which offer the potential for combined heat and power (CHP) and export of energy to nearby businesses.
Locations where activities would be unsuitable	Not normally be compatible with a hi-tech business park environment or a rural/semi rural setting. Should be located appropriate distances from sensitive habitats and other sensitive receptors (e.g. residential). Safeguarding zones around aerodromes where building height is restricted should be avoided.

Category 7: Landfilling

Description / overview	Modern landfill practice requires a significant degree of engineering in order to contain tipped waste, control emissions and minimise potential environmental effects. The majority of landfills are operated on a phased cell system whereby, as one cell is being filled, another is being prepared, and another is being completed / restored¹¹⁹.
Waste facilities	Waste disposal mainly below ground level (infilling a void). Landraise, also generically referred to as landfill, refers to waste disposal mainly above pre-existing ground levels. The primary by-products where biodegradable materials are disposed of are landfill gas and leachate (requiring ancillary operations including abstraction systems). Inert waste can be used to restore minerals workings. Sites may include a separate protective cell for hazardous materials.
Examples of waste streams handled	Most types of non-hazardous waste may be disposed of via landfill although as disposal is increasingly discouraged, the future role of landfill is likely to be limited to the residues of other waste management operations such as incinerator ashes and materials recovery facility (MRF) rejects etc. Hazardous wastes (although certain hazardous wastes are banned from landfill disposal). Inert waste (non-biodegradable) is a restoration material and is not classed as landfilling.
Appropriate locations for these activities (including site requirements)	Landfill sites sited where an existing void is available, such as in existing mineral workings. The location of land-raise sites is less limited and may include derelict land, or extensions to existing landfills. Landfill sites tend to be located in rural areas. Range in size from just a few hectares (Ha) to over 100 Ha. The larger sites are more economically viable.
Locations where activities would be unsuitable	Sites close to housing, commercial or recreational areas etc. should generally be avoided. Areas overlying principal aquifers or close to potable waters should also be avoided. Sensitive habitats should be avoided. Bird strike’ zones around aerodromes should be avoided.

¹¹² Most on-farm facilities possess waste management exemptions, and all community-run sites are exempt and so are restricted in size

¹¹³ e.g. In-vessel composting (IVC) allows collected food waste to be composted on a large scale. IVC is not considered as environmentally beneficial as anaerobic digestion. For effective waste handling, a covered waste reception area, as well as hard standing for post composting and a covered storage area are needed.

¹¹⁴ The term 'mechanical and biological treatment' (MBT) is commonly used to describe a hybrid process whichcombines mechanical and biological techniques used to sort and separate mixed household waste.

¹¹⁵ Refuse-derived fuel, (RDF), is made by refining municipal solid waste in a series of mechanical sorting and shredding stages to separate the combustible portion of the waste. Either a loose fuel, known as fluff, floc or coarse RDF (c-RDF), or a densified pellet or briquette (d-RDF) is produced.

¹¹⁶ The term 'mechanical and biological treatment' (MBT) is commonly used to describe a hybrid process which combines mechanical and biological techniques used to sort and separate mixed household waste and produce a Refused Derived Fuel (RDF).

¹¹⁷ The revised Waste Framework Directive sets a threshold above which energy efficient municipal waste incinerators can be classified as recovery facilities, and below which they continue to be classified as disposal facilities.

¹¹⁸ The revised Waste Framework Directive sets a threshold above which energy efficient municipal waste incinerators can be classified as recovery facilities, and below which they continue to be classified as disposal facilities

¹¹⁹ 119 Cells are holes which are lined with a waterproof liner and contain systems to manage landfill gas and leachate/ liquids. When complete the cells are covered with clay to seal the waste.

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