GBR No. 7
Environmental Conditions
Rubber, Plastics, Glass and Ceramics Group
ERA regulates the environmental impact of enterprises through two key mechanisms. Smaller scale activities are regulated through a set of General Binding Rules (GBRs) which apply to all enterprises within a common group (e.g. Rubber, Plastics, Glass and Ceramics Group). Larger scale activities are regulated through an Environmental Permit issued on an individual basis by MEPA. Certain enterprises of limited environmental significance (e.g. insurance companies) are exempt from control through a GBR or Permit.
The environmental conditions set out in this General Binding Rule (GBR)are aimed at improving the environmental performance of small scale enterprises involved in the manufacture of various rubber, plastic, glass, ceramic and other mineral products.
GBR Conditions and Permits
The classes of enterprises in List 1 (see last page) are subject to regulation by either a Permit or this GBR. An Environmental Permit for operation of the establishment must be obtained from ERAin respect of:
oAny activity with a discharge to sea, surface water or land
oAny manufacturing activity with 250 employees or more on a single site.
oAll classes of enterprises within NACE Class 22*.
oAll classes of enterprises manufacturing, shaping or processing glass within NACE Classes23.11-23.19, with a melting capacity of 2 tonnes/day or more.
oAny enterprises manufacturing refractory products (NACE Class 23.20) and all ceramic products (NACE Classes 23.41-23.49) with a production capacity of 10 tonnes/day or more.
oAny activities comprising the use of VOC solvents in the coating of plastic surfaces and the conversion of natural or synthetic rubber into a finished product, exceeding solvent consumption thresholds as per Annex 2 (A) of the General Guidance Note.
The Environmental Conditions in this GBR:
- Apply immediately on start-up of operations by new enterprises
- Apply to an existing enterprise from 6 months after first notification of the GBR
- Do not override the requirements of any other legislation, including any possible need for development consent
- Will be enforced through ERAinspections and penalties.
- Apply until such time as they may be superseded for individual enterprises by the requirements of an Environmental Permit, other legal requirements or the amendment of this GBR.
Operators have an obligation to understand and implement the requirements of the GBR. An explanation of these conditions and practical advice on theirimplementation is given in the ERA General Guidance Note for Small Enterprises.
1. General Requirements
1.1.All businesses have a duty of care to protect the environment. The operator shall become familiar with his legal obligations and good environmental practice.
1.2.Staff shall be made aware of the importance of environmental protection and receive appropriate training, as specified in the Guidance Note.
1.3.The site shall be maintained in a tidy condition, free from litter and waste (whether arising from own activities or external sources).
1.4.A vehicle wheel wash shall be provided in cases where vehicles are dragging significant levels of dust, waste and debris onto a public road.
1.5.In the event of cessation of business activityon the site, all wastes (including end-of-life or abandoned machinery, tanks and equipment) and hazardous materials must be removed from the site.
1.6.If requested by the authority applicant shall provide annual consumption of solvents and other solvent containing products in order to confirm the applicability of obligations under L.N. 349 of 2010 (or as amended in subsequent legislation). A list of these solvents together with MSDS must also be provided.
2. Waste Management
2.1.Wastes should preferably be collected for recycling/re-use. Wastes to be considered for recycling should include plastic, glass and packaging wastes. When practical, recyclable wastes should be segregated to facilitate recycling.
2.2.Allwastes shall be stored within a designated and controlled storage area(s) prior to ultimate disposal; wastes to be recycled should be stored in a designated containeror storage area and not mixed with other wastes.
2.3.Liquid and hazardous wastes shall be stored in a labelled, closed container(s) within a designated and controlled storage area(s) prior to ultimate disposal. Wastes of different natures should be segregated accordingly and not mixed within the same container.
2.4.The storage of Hazardous Waste should comply with the requirements of the Waste Management (Activity Registration) Regulations, 2007. The storage period for hazardous waste generated on site shall not exceed 12 months
2.5.On-site disposal of wastes by any means including burning, disposal to drain or surface water, burying or deposition on land is prohibited, unless specifically approved by a permit from ERA or the Water Services Corporation (WSC).
2.6.The transport of waste off-site shall be by means of a waste carrier authorised for that waste.
2.7.Off-site disposal or recycling of wastes may only take place at a facility licensed for that purpose (e.g. only inert waste may be disposed of at a landfill licensed for inert waste).
2.8.Records shall be maintained for the disposal of all hazardous waste, including quantities, dates, contractor name and manner of disposal. The records should be maintained for a period of 2 years and be made available, upon request, byERA.
2.9.Producers of packaging shall register with ERAand provide the required information, as well as achieve the targets as set out in the relevant legislation. Documentation as evidence of such should be maintained for a period of 3 years and be made available, upon request by ERA.
2.10.All operations concerning the management of waste are subject to the legal provisions of Legal Notice 184 of 2011 as amended and Legal Notice 106 Waste Management (Activity Registration) Regulations, 2007. These regulations are reflected in relevant GBR conditions (listed in this document) or in the environmental permit conditions to which it applies.
3. Emissions to Atmosphere
3.1All processes which generate significant levels of airborne contaminants (such as fumes, toxic gases, dusts or odorous compounds) shall have effective local collection and shall discharge (after treatment where necessary) through a stack or vent located/designed in such a way as to avoid local nuisance.
3.2Fumes from etching baths, moulding areas and other sources should have effective local collection and be treated by passing through a wet scrubber (or any other equivalent filtration system) before discharge through a suitably located stack.
3.3Significant non-point sources of airborne dust shall be identified and the emissions minimised.
3.4All equipment with the capacity to generate significant amounts of airborne dust shall be fitted with dust collection and abatement.
3.5Exhaust gases from oil or solid fuel boilers/generators, shall vent through stacks 3 metres above roof level and 3 metres above any habitable floor within a 25 metre radius as per provisions of LN 478 of 2010, Ambient Air Quality Regulations, 2010, or as quoted in subsequent amendments.
3.6Minor exhausts, such as wall grills, shall discharge above head height and be directed upwards.
3.7The exhaustfrom general building ventilation (e.g. extractors or fans in walls or roofs) shall be vented in such a way as to avoid local nuisance (see definition in General Guidance Note).
3.8In the case of new developments, exhaust gases from oil or solid fuel boilers/generators or kilns shall vent through stacks extending at least 3 m above roof level. The design and location of the exhaust system should take into account noise and visual intrusion.
3.9For those activities where it can be shown to the satisfaction of ERA that the above venting requirements are not practical, sensible or necessary, stacks and vents shall be located and designed so as to minimise local nuisancein accordance with policies issued by the Planning directorate.
3.10In the event of a local nuisance from emissions to air, the operator must, at the written request of ERAand within 30 working days, identify the specific cause of the nuisance and examine means for its elimination or minimisation including:
- Relocating/redesigning the stack(s) or vent(s) to a point where nuisance is minimised.
- Replacement of fuel by lower sulphur content or cleaner burning fuel
- Use of additional dust-suppression and abatement measures
- Improved storage of materials
- Closure of certain doors or windows
3.11All abatement equipment and ducting shall be cleaned and maintained according to manufacturer product specifications in a way so as to ensure proper functioning of the equipment. This is to be carried out on a regular basis and records kept of any such maintenance.
See General Guidance Note for Small Enterprises for further information on this matter.
4. Effluent Discharge
4.1.Foul sewer drains must be strictly segregated from stormwater drains.
4.2.The discharge of any type of effluent (including neutralised acids, cooling water, washwaters and contaminated stormwater) to land,stormwater drainsor seais prohibited,unless specifically approved under a permit issued by ERA.
4.3.All discharges to the foul sewer shall comply with the requirements of a license issued by the Water Services Corporation.
4.4.Effluents with high levels of solids (from such sources as washing of floors, storage areas and equipment) shall pass through an adequately sized settlement tank.
4.5.Any grease trap or sedimentation tank or other equipment specified by the WSCshall be adequately sized and well maintained.
4.6.The volume of contaminated stormwater should be minimised by such means as
- Sweeping of dusty/dirty areas of the site on a regular basis
- Directing storm water away from production/storage areas
4.7.All reasonable measures to minimise wastage of water should be implemented. Techniques to be employed include regular monitoring of water usage, identification of sources of high water usage, use of triggers on hoses and water efficient taps and appliances.
5. Storage
5.1.No storage of waste, equipment or materials is permitted on property outside the site premises.
5.2.Non-hazardous waste awaiting collection may be placed outside the site premises for a period not exceeding 12 hours.
5.3.All bulk oil storage tanks shall be provided with an adequately designed bund system with an impermeable base and walls. The capacity of the bund shall be a minimum of 110% of the largest tank within the bund or 25% of the total volume of all the tanks within the bund whichever is greater.All filling and off-take points shall be located within the bund.
5.4.Drums and containers of chemicals/oils shall be stored in designated and secure storage areas. Storage areas shall be bunded or otherwise designed so that surface and ground waters cannot be contaminated by spillages.
5.5.Bulk storage tanks for liquids and associated bunding and pipe work shall be visually inspected at least once a month and certified by a warranted engineer on an annual basis.Records for such inspections should be kept for a minimum period of two years and should be made available upon request by ERA.
5.6.The construction of fuel tanks shall comply with relevant MRA standard.
5.7.All storage of materials or waste shall take place only in locations where thorough clean-up and site reinstatement can be readily undertaken.
5.8.Spillages of oil or other hazardous material shall receive immediate attention to prevent escape to drain, surface water or land. Spilled material shall be disposed of in sites permitted by ERA to accept such waste.
GBR No. 7
List 1
NACE classes of the Rubber, Plastics, Glass and CeramicsGroup
22 Manufacture of rubber and plastic products
22.11 Manufacture of rubber tyres and tubes; retreading and rebuilding of rubber tyres
22.19 Manufacture of other rubber products
22.21 Manufacture of plastic plates, sheets, tubes and profiles
22.22 Manufacture of plastic packing goods
22.23 Manufacture of builders’ ware of plastic
22.29 Manufacture of other plastic products
23 Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products
23.11 Manufacture of flat glass.
23.12 Shaping and processing of flat glass.
23.13 Manufacture of hollow glass.
23.14 Manufacture of glass fibres.
23.19 Manufacture and processing of other glass, including technical glassware.
23.20 Manufacture of refractory products.
23.31 Manufacture of ceramic tiles and flags.
23.32 Manufacture of bricks, tiles and construction products, in baked clay.
23.41 Manufacture of ceramic household and ornamental articles.
23.42 Manufacture of ceramic sanitary fixtures.
23.43 Manufacture of ceramic insulators and insulating fittings.
23.44 Manufacture of other technical ceramic products.
23.49 Manufacture of other ceramic products.
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