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Guidance

Waste exemptions: how to choose, register and pay

Find out what waste exemptions are and when you need to register them. Understand waste exemption conditions and charges.

Updates to this page

From:
Environment Agency
Published:
1 July 2025
Last updated:
15 April 2026
Show all updates

  1. Two sentences telling certain users to call the Environment Agency have been deleted because they are no longer correct.

  2. Updated charges in line with the consumer price index (CPI) increase.

  3. Every document attachment has been updated because there are new digital processes for multiple site and linear network registrations. You can now register exemptions at multiple sites in the waste exemptions service. There is a new digital form and guidance to register exemptions along a linear network. There are more examples of charitable purposes and charitable organisations to help organisations decide if they qualify as a charity.

  4. Updated the documents with details about multiple site and linear network registrations, and the charges for those registrations. Clarified information about the requirements for an organisation to be considered a charity.

  5. Updated the Charges document to clarify that there is no VAT to pay on waste exemptions.

  6. In 'Registration rules and guidance' the section called 'Renewals' has changed to 'Exemptions due to expire'. It clarifies that users must start the registration process again if they want to register their exemptions for another 3 years.

  7. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Choosing the right waste exemptions for your activity

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Registration rules and guidance

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Waste exemption charges

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Details

A waste exemption is a waste management activity that is exempt from needing an environmental permit. There are conditions that must be met. Most businesses must pay a charge to register waste exemptions. See Waste exemption charges.

You can register and pay for most exemptions through the waste exemption service. 

Businesses that do not have to pay

Exemptions are free if you’re a charity. To qualify as a charity, your organisation must be run for public benefit and work exclusively for a charitable purpose. 

Read Charity Commission guidance on what is a charitable purpose.

The T28: Sorting and denaturing controlled drugs for disposal is free. You must be an authorised person under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.

Call the Environment Agency to register free exemptions.

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.

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