Environment Agency Details U1 Waste Exemption for Construction

We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Types of waste and how much you can use in building projects, landscaping and drainage works, or to maintain existing linear networks under a U1 exemption. Get emails about this page Applies to England Print this page There’s a charge for most waste exemptions This exemption is in band 1. Read waste exemption charges to find out what the charges are and how much you’ll pay. Businesses such as farmers, builders, engineers, and other businesses can register a U1 exemption to use suitable waste for construction projects and maintenance work. The exemption is valid for 3 years from the date you register it. You can use a U1 exemption if you’re using waste to: You cannot use a U1 exemption to: You must comply with other rules that may apply to your activity, for example, flood risk management permits or planning permission . If you’re building on a floodplain or near a watercourse, contact the following organisations: You will need an environmental permit or a different exemption if you want to use: There are conditions around the types and amounts of waste you can use, depending on the activity you’re doing. The waste you use must: Waste must not be contaminated by pollutants such as plastic, asbestos fragments, and hydrocarbons such as oils and fuels. The following tables set out the waste codes, the types of waste and the maximum amount of waste allowed over 3 years for each U1 activity. You can use a combination of waste types within a table. The total amount must be no more than the limit for that activity. You can carry out more than one activity, using up to the maximum amount of waste allowed for each activity. For example, you can use up to 5,000 tonnes from table 1 for ‘any construction activity’ plus up to 1,000 tonnes from table 4 to build ‘tracks, paths, bridleways or car parks’. You can use up to 5,000 tonnes of these waste types in any combination, over the 3-year registration period, for any construction activity. (*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous. You can use up to 1,000 tonnes of these waste types in any combination, over the 3-year registration period, for any construction activity. (*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous. You can use up to 5,000 tonnes of non-hazardous dredging spoil over the 3-year registration period, for drainage works. Work must be in accordance with any flood risk activity permit and relevant legislation. (*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous. Dredging spoil can only be used for drainage work done for the purposes of the Land Drainage Act 1991, Water Resources Act 1991 or Environment Act 1995 You can use up to 1,000 tonnes of these waste types in any combination over the 3-year registration period. The waste must have been processed into chip form. (*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous. You can use up to 50,000 tonnes of these waste types in any combination, over the 3-year registration period, for building roads. Roads must be built to a specific engineering standard and have a sealed surface. Linear networks are long stretches that do not have a defined address or grid reference point. You can use a U1 exemption for maintenance or repairs along a linear network. You can use up to 500 tonnes of these waste types per linear mile, per year. (*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous. Dredging spoil can only be used for drainage work done for the purposes of the Land Drainage Act 1991, Water Resources Act 1991 or Environme