T1: treating certain waste to reuse or recycle
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-01)

T1 waste exemption allows you to treat waste packaging so it can be reused in its original form or becomes clean waste suitable for recycling.

There’s a charge for most waste exemptions

This exemption is in band 2. Read waste exemption charges (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-exemptions-how-to-choose-register-and-pay/waste-exemption-charges) to find out what the charges and charging bands are.

Types of activity you can carry out

These include:
- washing waste plastic drums so that they can be reused or sold for reuse
- cleaning waste plastic or glass to allow it to be recycled
Types of activity you cannot carry out

You cannot:
- use this exemption if your operation falls within Part B of Section 6.4 (Coating activities and printing) of Part 2 of Schedule 1 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2010/9780111491423/schedule/1) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 (this is regulated by your local authority)
- treat hazardous waste
- shred or bale any of the types of waste under this exemption, see related exemption, T4 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-t4-preparatory-treatments-baling-sorting-shredding-etc)
- clean the waste before disposing of it to landfill or incinerating it
- treat waste which is contaminated by more than 1% of its original volume
Types of waste you can treat

The waste codes are those listed in the List of Wastes (LoW) Regulations. You need to make sure your waste fits within the relevant waste code and description.

Amount of waste you can treat or store

You can:
- treat up to 300 tonnes of waste over any 7-day period
- store up to 300 tonnes of waste at any one time
- store waste for up to 3 months before it is treated
Where containers have stored a dangerous substance:
- one tonne of waste is the maximum amount you can store over any 7-day period
- the waste must not be contaminated by more than 1% of its original volume before it is treated
You must:
- store and treat waste in a location with sealed drainage
- have the correct consent before you discharge dirty water from washing waste to surface water, groundwater or sewer
Find out more about environmental permits for discharges to surface waters and groundwater activities (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/discharges-to-surface-water-and-groundwater-environmental-permits).

For consent to discharge to a sewer you need to contact your local water company.

Related exemptions

To bale or shred suitable waste after cleaning you must register exemption T4 preparatory treatments, such as, baling, sorting, shredding (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-t4-preparatory-treatments-baling-sorting-shredding-etc).

Register an exemption

You need to register this exemption (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-your-waste-exemptions) with the Environment Agency if you meet the requirements.

Related permits

If you are coating packaging you should contact your local authority to find out if you need an environmental permit under Part B of Section 6.4 (Coating activities and printing) of Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2010/9780111491423/schedule/1).

Definitions

Dangerous substance – see regulation 2(1) of the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2009 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/716/contents/made).

Discharge consent – a consent issued under Chapter 2 of Part 3 of the Water Resources Act 1991 or regulation 13 of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010.

Hazardous waste – see how to classify different types of waste (https://www.gov.uk/how-to-classify-different-types-of-waste).

Sealed drainage – a drainage system with an impermeable surface that ensures:
- no liquid will run off the surface apart from via the system
- all liquids entering the system are collected in a sealed sump except where they may be lawfully discharged