Upgrading waste transfer stations for SCA Recycling.

SCA Recycling operated a network of waste transfer stations for waste paper collection and recycling that provided raw materials the manufacture of newsprint and tissue paper across the UK.

Paper recycling operation

Challenge

SCA Recycling needed to respond to a down-turn in the demand for waste paper, caused by the increasing use of electronic media. The new business strategy involved using the existing transport fleet & waste transfer stations to handle higher value waste materials. The scale of the change required the company to consider applying for environmental permits to operate with the new materials.  A number of the best positioned waste transfer stations were close to domestic property and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, so the potential effects on the local population and environment would need to be carefully assessed and planned for.

Solution

The HSQE Department undertook a survey of the company’s waste transfer stations, to identify which ones would be likely to be granted an environmental permit, where a Standard Rules environmental permit would be possible and where a Bespoke environmental permit would be needed. SCA Recycling decided to apply for permits for their waste transfer stations in East London, Birmingham and South Wales, one of which was close to a SSSI and another close to an urban nature reserve. The HSQE Department worked closely with Planning Officers and negotiated planning permission for all three sites.  Once planning permission was in place, The HSQE Department negotiated with local officers of the Environment Agency to obtain Standard Rules Permits for two waste transfer stations and carried out all of the work needed to achieve a Bespoke permit for the waste transfer station close to the SSSI.

What our client said

“Richard undertook a series of environmental audit and licence applications with DS Smith during 2012. We were very impressed with Richard’s work. Richard is professional, polite, trustworthy and reliable. It is important during processes such as these, where we lacked internal expertise, to be able to rely on our consultant’s professionalism and we could not fault this. Richard was always approachable and accessible, again important when undertaking work in a series of locations. Richard’s time sheets were clear and comprehensive, and we were able to discuss cost with him at all times with integrity and honesty.”

SB – Business Development Director