Scrap Metal Recycling Permit

You need a scrap metal recycling permit if you wish to store and treat scrap metal in England . This is different to a scrap metal dealers licence from the local council.

The Scrap metal recycling permit is issued by the Environment Agency. The current standard rules permit for recycling scrap metal is Standard rules permit SR 2015 No 16. It allows an operator to import up to 25,000 tonnes to their site annually. The permit has a range of metal European Waste Codes included in it which will suffice for most operators. If you need additional codes then you may need to apply for a bespoke permit.

The scrap metal permit also allows a range of treatments such as shredding and baling.

Because it is a standard rules permit, the permit has a number of geographical conditions in it. Your site for example cannot be close to protected woodland or a source protection zone. The Environment Agency puts and exclusion zone around sensitive environmental receptors (that is their job!). Within this area you cannot apply for that particular permit. If you want to apply and your site is in one of these exclusion zones then you may need to apply for a bespoke permit. The burden of proof in demonstrating that you will have no environmental impact on the environment and hence the fees are much higher for these types of permit.

Scrap metal recycling permit

If you are considering opening a new metal recycling facility, or you are an existing operator who already has a permit but wishes to upgrade to a new style permit. We can help you apply. As of 2025 a lot of operators operate under the T9 waste exemption. However it looks like the Environment Agency will be removing this in the not too distant future. If you want to continue operating once this exemption has been removed. Then you need to apply for a scrap metal environmental permit.