EA and the rules for waste oil

[Steveiboy]

Hi all i know Kernoman has been over this,  but here is a copy of an email i recived this morning from the EA
Hope it helps someone
Dear Steve,
 
Thank you for your enquiry regarding the use of waste vegetable oil for the production of diesel.
 
Here are some frequently asked questions about small scale biodiesel production and how we regulate you.
 
Do I need a Waste Carriers Licence to transport used cooking oil if I am buying it for my own use?

 

You do not need a waste carriers licence if you:

 

are buying the oil for your own use in your own private vehicle;
are not profiting from the activity;
are not collecting it or using it as part of a commercial or business enterprise.
Does a transfer note need to be completed when the producer of waste cooking oil gives it to somebody complying with the conditions above?

 

Yes, a transfer note should be completed. You can find a template here:

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Business/transfer_2044866.pdf

In Section C1 under company address, you would put your home address. In Section C2 you would tick "Exempt from the requirement to register", explaining that you are collecting oil to make biodiesel for your own personal use.

Both parties should keep a copy of this transfer note for their records.

 

Can people sell used vegetable oil on Ebay or advertise it in other ways?

 

Yes. If the used vegetable oil is being sold by the producer of the waste they can do so. If the used vegetable oil is being sold by a third party it will be necessary for them to be a registered waste broker. 

 

How do you suggest we dispose of glycerol?

 

Glycerol can be used in the oleochemical industry, but few markets exist for the small amounts produced by householders. Do not pour glycerol down the drain without getting the authority of your sewage undertaker. Your local authority will provide you with advice on appropriate civic amenity sites which are able to accept this waste.

 

Bunding requirements for Used Cooking Oil and biodiesel

 

For domestic oil storage the Oil Storage Regulation apply to containers with a storage capacity of more than 3,500 litres

 

http://www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/275207/275441/?version=1&lang=_e

 

We would advise the following: 

 

Oils and chemicals are stored in an area where spills can be contained. This should be within an impermeable bund. A bund is a secondary containment area that holds liquids if the main containers leak or break.   If you have one oil storage container in a bund, the bund must be able to hold 110% of its volume.   If you have more than one container in a bund, the bund must be able to hold 25% of the total volume of the containers  or 110% of the largest container’s volume.  Bunds should be inspected regularly and rainwater removed;
Tanks should be located at least 10 metres from watercourses and steps should be taken to minimise the risk of damage to the tanks/bund by impact.
 

Further information on pollution prevention is available

http://www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/sectors/1751232/1751282/1751303/1762317/.

 

When does waste vegetable oil cease to be waste?

 

Waste vegetable oil ceases to be classified as a waste at the point of combustion in a vehicle’s engine.  However, the Environment Agency has developed a low risk position whereby biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil is not subject to waste regulation as long as it is stored securely.

 

This low risk waste position (LRW03) covers:

 

·        The storage of up to 5000 litres of cooking oil prior to recovery;

·        The treatment of up to 250 litres at anytime of waste cooking oil to produce biodiesel;

·        The secure storage of waste derived biodiesel (a fuel derived from the treatment of waste cooking oil and animal fat);

·        The recovery of waste derived biodiesel as a fuel in motor vehicles.

 

Waste activities must not be carried out in a manner that causes or is likely to cause pollution or harm to human health. If we consider that an activity is or is likely to pollute or cause harm we will consider legal action.

 

The storage of the waste cooking oil must be in a secure place. A place is secure if all reasonable precautions are taken to ensure that the waste cannot escape from it and members of the public are unable to gain access to the waste.

 

Are there any Health and Safety Guidelines I should follow when making biodiesel?

 

Yes. These guidelines from the HSE website should be followed:

 

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/biodiesel.htm

 

 

What about the lower rate of excise duty on biodiesel?

 

You can find out more information on this from the HM Revenue and Customs website:

 

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/downloadFile?contentID=HMCE_CL_000205

 
I trust that you will find this information useful. If you have any further enquiries please contact us and we will be happy to help you.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Jeni Pitkin
Customer Service Advisor
Environment Agency
National Customer Contact Centre
08708 506 506
 

[Centaur]

Nice one Stevie - I'll sticky this one for everyone's future reference 

[Kernowman]

Nice to see you contacted them...saves them trying to accuse you of hiding the fact you were collecting wvo.

You had the same e-mail as me... were the majority of it does not apply unless you are making full BIO diesel.

I do not, I just filter it...

Make sure you hand a copy over to your supplier... and that you have an identically copy for yourself... this will save any hassle later if asked for your paperwork.

I have agreed with my supplier to do a monthly docet....  so I keep a record of what I have collected, then right the total for that month in the ammount collected box.
You may wish to suggest this to your supplier, as it will mean 12 docets a year instead of 52.. 
So they will have a lot less paperwork to hold onto... just ensure you mark each one with the period it covers...  ie 1st-30th december, then next 1st-31st Jan and so on..  this will give you a paper trail for the EA to follow if they want to check up on you. 

Please, please remember...under these guidelines/rules, you CANNOT sell, give away or donate any of the veg you have collected. This will be a vialation of you agreement...  and so mean you will need to purchase a waste brokers license to stay legal. I think they are about £125- a year, but not 100% sure as not had to buy one.


God luck with your wvo..  watch out for soya in the cold weather..

[Steveiboy]

My supplier has stopped giving it to me, he's trying to sell it at £6.00 for 15 Liters as he says this is what the going rate is now so looking for new suppliers at the moment, having to use new veg from Bookers

[Kernowman]

My supplier has stopped giving it to me, he's trying to sell it at £6.00 for 15 Liters as he says this is what the going rate is now so looking for new suppliers at the moment, having to use new veg from Bookers

Greedy git...    he'd normally have to pay to have it collected... just to keep him legal with the EA.

Have a look on the   Green Team site as they sell filtered wvo ...   depending how much you need and your location..they might be a cheaper option.

Plus if you mention you're a member of this site.....they should give you a discount... but not confirmed on the veg just yet... I'm still working on it.. 

[Steveiboy]

Cheers Paul will take a look at their site to see whats on offer

[Kernowman]

I'm going to get a batch of paper filters after new year...let me know if you want any..as I will pass on any discount I get to club members. 

[mr mince]

My supplier has stopped giving it to me, he's trying to sell it at £6.00 for 15 Liters as he says this is what the going rate is now so looking for new suppliers at the moment, having to use new veg from Bookers

Your supplier is a bit late with that one, thanks to the credit crunch and collapse of the price of crude filtered waste oil isn't even worth that anymore.

Untouched sludge was only going for 30p a litre at best during the rather mad summer season. Don't forget to wish him all the best in getting rid at that price.

[Kernowman]

Just remind him...that when he cannot shift it he will have to pay to have it taken away..  as he HAS TO produce the paperwork to prove where it went..  :

[Guv]

Hi all

The link for the "waste transfer note" no longer works, can anyone help with a new one

many thanks

[Kernowman]

Here you go..

[mr mince]

I've got one in .doc format so you can fill in all the details using Open Office (other word processors are available) before hand just a sig and away you go. Makes repeat trips just a case of reprinting the form and saved details

Just got to remember what computer/hard drive it's on

[Guv]

Gents
As always thanks for your fantastic support

I don't get the "link" that kernowman sent? All I got was the "here you go" bit?  Please bear with me, I'm all new to this forum stuff

Cheers

guv

[Kernowman]

It's there as a pdf file... click on the green writting and it will open up.
Failing that, PM me your email and I'll send it that way.

[Kernowman]