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Environment Agency gov.uk

T32: treating waste in a biobed or biofilter

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Read New rules from January 2027 to find out what to do.

The treated washings can be re-used and the biobed material (biomix) can then be spread on land (under an exemption) for agricultural or ecological benefit.

There’s a charge for most waste exemptions

This exemption is in band 3. Read waste exemption charges to find out what the charges and charging bands are.

You can treat non-hazardous washings in a lined biobed or above-ground biofilter.

  • treat pesticide washings that are hazardous waste
  • allow others to bring their pesticide washings to be treated in your biobed or biofilter
  • allow agricultural contractors to bring back pesticide washings they have produced while working on other farms

    • 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.

    You can store or treat up to 15,000 litres of dilute pesticide washings in a 12-month period.

    The treatment can only take place where the pesticide is used and the washings are produced.

    You must site the lined biobed or biofilter in a secure place and it must have an impermeable lining.

    The biobed or biofilter must be located at least:

  • 50 metres from a spring, well or borehole not used to supply water for domestic or food production purposes
  • 250 metres from any borehole used to supply water for domestic or food production purposes

    • You must not site the lined biobed or biofilter in an area that is designated as a groundwater Source Protection Zone 1. Find out if you are located within a Source Protection Zone 1. If you are, email the Environment Agency to see if you can agree site specific circumstances: [email protected].

    Biobeds and biofilters are classed as waste recovery systems. This means that where possible, the treated water should be re-used. Possible re-use options include irrigation, sprayer washing or as the carrier for pre-crop total herbicide applications.

    This is an extract. The publication continues at the source.

    Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Licence

    Read the original at the source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-t32-treatment-of-waste-in-a-biobed-or-biofilter

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    October 21, 2026 09:00
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