S1: storing waste in secure containers
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-01)

S1 waste exemption lets you store certain waste in secure containers at a site separate to where it was produced, before transporting to another site for recovery.

There’s a charge for most waste exemptions

This exemption is in band 1. 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:
- storing waste oil in a tank at an intermediate site before it’s moved to another site to be recovered
- storing and bulking-up plastic packaging in a container at a place before it’s moved to another site to be recovered
Types of activity you cannot carry out

You cannot:
- treat waste under this exemption
- store waste destined to be disposed of
- store mixed waste
- mix hazardous with non-hazardous waste
Types of waste you can store

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.

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.

Quantity of waste you can store

You can store up to 400 cubic metres each of the following waste at any one time:
- cartons
- plastics and plastic packaging
- cans and foils
- paper and cardboard
- glass
- textiles and clothes
You can store up to 3 cubic metres each of the following waste at any one time:
- waste oils
- hazardous absorbents, filter material, wiping cloths and protective clothing contaminated by hazardous substances
- non-hazardous absorbents, filter materials, wiping cloths and protective clothing
- oil filters
You can store the waste in up to 20 containers at any one time but the total amount of waste stored must not exceed the maximum allowed under this exemption.

Conditions

The conditions are:
- no waste is stored for longer than 12 months
- the containers must be secure
- the person storing the waste must own the containers or have the owner’s consent
- waste oils and oil filters must be stored with secondary containment
- the waste is being stored before it’s recovered elsewhere
- each waste type is stored separately
What else you need to know

Hazardous waste is subject to the Hazardous Waste Regulations (https://www.gov.uk/dispose-hazardous-waste).

Related exemptions

T1: Cleaning, washing, spraying or coating relevant waste (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemptions-treating-waste)

T2: Recovering textiles (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-t2-recovering-textiles)

T4: Preparatory treatments (baling, sorting, shredding etc) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-t4-preparatory-treatments-baling-sorting-shredding-etc)

S2: Storing waste in a secure place (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-s2-storing-waste-in-a-secure-place)

Related permits

You will need an environmental permit if you want to store:
- waste at an intermediate site for treatment or use not covered in related exemptions or under a permit for recovery
- mixed waste at an intermediate site for treatment
- waste prior to disposal
- these wastes in quantities larger than allowed in this exemption
Find out more about environmental permits for waste (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-environmental-permits).

Register an S1 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.