Waste Exemption Charges Now Live: What Operators Must Know
New Fees for Exempt Waste Activities
As of 1 July 2025, businesses operating under waste exemptions in England face a significant change – charges now apply. These exemptions, which previously allowed operators to handle low-risk waste activities without a full environmental permit, had been free of charge. Not anymore.
The Environment Agency (EA) introduced this update following a public consultation in late 2024. The goal? To fully recover the costs of its regulatory services and step up its oversight of waste operations.
The move aims to clamp down on non-compliance and stop rogue operators from undercutting legitimate businesses.
Who’s Exempt from the Charges?
There are a few exceptions. The EA confirmed that:
- Charities will not be charged for waste exemptions.
- Operators applying under T28 exemptions for medical waste will also remain unaffected.
- Farming activities may be eligible for a capped rate of £88 for specific exemptions.
Standard Fees for Most Operators
For everyone else, charges now apply as follows:
- A registration fee of £56 for any exemption
- Plus a banded charge, based on the exemption’s complexity and risk
Here’s how the band structure breaks down:
Exemption Bandings Explained
The EA has assigned bands based on the activity type. Below is a sample of how exemptions are classified:
Band 1 – £420
- Storing waste in secure containers (S1)
- Treating wood and green waste (T6)
- Manually sorting waste (T12)
Band 2 – £212
- Treating food waste (T13)
- Recovering silver from photographic materials (T30)
- Spreading waste on agricultural land (U10)
Band 3 – £30
- Composting kitchen waste using a wormery (T26)
- Burning untreated wood waste on site (D7)
- Using mulch (U12)
Upper Band – £1,236
- Processing end-of-life tyres (T8)
- Recovering scrap metal (T9)
- Depolluting end-of-life vehicles (U16)
These changes will have an operational and financial impact on many small and medium-sized waste handlers and those supporting the construction, agriculture, and hospitality sectors.
Why It Matters
While some may see this as yet another cost burden, the EA insists the fees are necessary. According to its statement:
“We want to reduce poor performance in the waste sector by increasing our enforcement presence, and to stop illegal activities that undercut legitimate businesses.”
The funds raised will go towards improving environmental enforcement and ensuring that exemption holders are truly operating within the rules.
Preparing for Compliance
Invoices for exemption charges will be issued shortly after registration. Businesses must ensure they:
- Understand which band their activity falls into
- Budget for the correct fees
- Register promptly and accurately
Failing to comply could lead to enforcement actions or even prosecution.
For those unsure about their exemption type or how the new charges apply, professional guidance is recommended.