David Alcock is a senior environmental consultant specialising in waste permitting and regulatory compliance.
Waste Crime Crackdown 2026: Operation Unite’s Impact on Permitted Sites In March, the Environment Agency escalated its national crackdown on waste crime with Operation Unite — an 18‑week campaign that set the tone for a tougher stance on illegal activity. Since then, enforcement has been propelled even further into the national spotlight, particularly after Prime…
Waste Carrier Reforms Coming in 2027: What do the New Competence Requirements Mean for Small Operators? From 2027, the way waste is legally transported in England will change dramatically. The long‑standing Carriers, Brokers and Dealers (CBD) registration system — commonly known as the waste carriers licence — is being replaced with a new permit‑based model…
Standard Rules vs Bespoke Environmental Permits: Which Is Right for Your Site? Choosing between a Standard Rules (SR) permit and a Bespoke permit is one of the most important early decisions for any waste or environmental operation. It affects your timelines, compliance obligations, site layout, and long‑term flexibility, yet many operators only discover the…
New Environmental Permit Granted for Makerfield Metal & Recycling Ltd A new Standard Rules Permit (SR2015 No.16) has been officially granted to Makerfield Metal & Recycling Ltd for their site at Unit 11, Ashton Grange Industrial Estate, Bryn Road, Ashton‑in‑Makerfield, Wigan. The permit, issued under reference EPR/BP3825MJ/A001, authorises the company to operate waste activities in…
AC Environmental has successfully delivered a significant environmental permit variation for Kuusakoski Ltd, the UK arm of one of Europe’s largest and most established metal recycling groups. The updated permit, issued by the Environment Agency under reference EPR/GP3498ZY/V004, authorises Kuusakoski to expand operations at its Crown Works facility in Sheffield, strengthening its capability to process…
On 1 September 2025, Sam Davies joined AC Environmental as a Trainee Environmental Consultant. Just ten weeks later, on 14 November 2025, he submitted his first Standard Rules permit application on behalf of Auto Storage Land Ltd, an end‑of‑life vehicle (ELV) operator based in Kirkby in Ashfield. Last week, the Environment Agency officially granted the…
A New Era for End-of-Life Vehicle Permitting 2026: What the EA’s Latest Consultation Means for Operators Summary: What the EA’s New End of Life Vehicle Permit Consultation Means for Operators The Environment Agency’s latest consultation proposes a major overhaul of how end-of-life vehicle (ELV) sites are permitted, operated and monitored across England. The new draft…
Environmental Permit Applications UK: Why Expert Support Matters More Than Ever Environmental permit applications in the UK should follow a clear and structured process. However, for many businesses, applying for or varying a permit can feel more like navigating a maze, marked by shifting expectations, inconsistent communication, and frustrating delays. Learn more about our environmental…
Why Practical Compliance Matters At AC Environmental, we have spent decades helping waste operators, recyclers and construction firms navigate the complex world of environmental compliance. For fire prevention plans & environmental management systems, having the right documentation is essential, but it is only half the story. Because let us be honest. It’s one thing to…
The Environment Agency Announces Major Changes to Waste Exemptions. The Environment Agency has announced its intention to reform the Environmental Permitting Regulations, which will result in significant changes to waste exemptions in 2025. These updates aim to strengthen oversight, reduce misuse, and raise compliance standards across the UK waste sector. Reforming the waste exemptions system…