Waste Regulation/Waste Licensing Regime

What is waste?

Waste is produced from a number of different sources, including our homes, schools, hospitals and places of work. If waste is not disposed of in a sensible manner, this can have a detrimental impact upon the environment in which we live.

What is a Waste Disposal Licence?

On the Isle of Man there are Regulations, which describe the types of waste, and ways in which we handle waste that may require a special licence from the Environmental Protection Unit. This licence is called a Waste Disposal Licence.

A Licence permits you to store, sort, incinerate, process and dispose of waste in a prescribed manner. Failure to undertake specific activities including the storing, sorting and disposal of waste WITHOUT a licence may result in prosecution under the Public Health Act 1990. For a copy of this Act or any other item of legislation, please contact the Government Library on tel no. 01624 685516.

A licence contains conditions calculated to prevent a facility or plant and equipment from causing pollution of water, danger to public health and serious detriment to the amenities of the locality in which the facility is located.

On the Island, waste disposal Licences exist in relation, for example, to:

Landfilling of household, commercial and industrial waste
Landfilling inert wastes (which includes construction and demolition wastes)
Skip Transfer Stations
Scrap Metal Merchants and
Waste Oil Burners

How do you apply for a licence?

For further advice and an application form, contact Stuart McMillan at stuart.mcmillan@gov.im, or telephone 01624 687022, or alternatively download an application form and supporting notes from the document table at the bottom of the page.

There is currently no charge for a waste disposal licence.

Are there any Exemptions?

Yes. For example, if you generate your own waste on your own premises and seek to dispose of it on the same land, you do not need a waste disposal licence.

There are a number of other exemptions. Please contact Stuart McMillan at stuart.mcmillan@gov.im, or telephone 01624 687022 for further information.

Downloadable Documents