Recycling and Waste Management

Airborne noise generated during the construction and operation of Recycling and Waste Management (RWM) facilities can cause disturbance and loss of amenity when located in the vicinity of residential areas and other noise sensitive resources.

Regulatory authorities and operators of RWM facilities must ensure, therefore, that the requirements of relevant legislation and guidance are complied with and that reasonable measures are used to minimise any noise impacts as part of the environmental management of existing sites and proposals for new development.

Whilst the Environmental Permitting Programme (EPP) initiative has created a unified permitting and compliance system for Waste Management Licensing and Pollution Prevention and Control throughout England and Wales, specialist noise and vibration advice is required for the successful implementation and operation of sites to ensure that medium and high-risk operations do not jeopardise the local environment and human health.

Comprehensive guidance on noise assessment and control which is relevant to most industry sectors has been published by the Environment Agency and other UK agencies in the Horizontal Guidance Note IPPC H3 (part 2) and this provides a basis for setting standards for environmental noise standards.

Southdowns has an established track record of work experience in the field of noise and vibration assessment for Recycling and Waste Management facilities, including:

• Landfill
• Energy from Waste facilities
• Combined Heat and Power facilities
• Waste Transfer Stations
• Biomass

Practical advice and services of relevance provided by Southdowns to the RWM sectors include:

• noise and vibration risk assessments;
• baseline ambient noise and vibration surveys including remote continuous monitoring, analyses and preparation of regular reports;
• advice on ‘best practicable means’ and BAT for mitigation;
• calculation, evaluation and mitigation of construction noise and vibration impacts;
• measurement and desktop computerised modelling of noise and vibration propagation between source and sensitive receiver(s);
• specialist input to environmental statements;
  
• preparation of technical reports;
  
• technical liaison with regulatory authorities and other public consultation;
• presentation of technical evidence and expert witness testimony;
• preparation of management procedures and code of construction practices;
• noise audit and compliance monitoring;
• expert witness and testimony.

Related projects

Environment Agency - Waste Facilities
Lidsey Landfill Site, West Sussex
Biomass Power Plant, Scotland
Newhaven Energy Recovery Facility
Super Materials Recovery Facility, Wembley
Biomass Scheme, Polegate
Landfill Site, Stanwell Moor

Related downloads

southdowns_general.pdf