The Council is currently implementing the largest change to waste handling since its inception: the redevelopment of the Porthmellon Waste Management Site. This work is essential to ensure that the way we dispose of waste is compliant with Environment Agency requirements. The changes will also help to improve rates of reuse and recycling and bring the increasing costs of waste management under control.
Historically, the Council’s handling of waste has not been sustainable. Non-combustible waste, in particular, has built up over a number of years. The Council has recently benefited from a DEFRA grant to help deal with the backlog of waste held at Porthmellon. It is vital that future waste management procedures are sustainable and do not result in the long-term build-up of waste.
Unfortunately, as a result of this essential work, it has been necessary for the Council to suspend the acceptance of all construction and demolition waste for the duration of the Porthmellon Waste Management Site redevelopment project to ensure that there is sufficient space and resource available to complete the work. We will review this decision once the work is complete to determine whether the site has the capacity to accept any construction waste for disposal and whether doing so would be financially viable.
We recognise that these changes could potentially result in the displacement of construction and demolition waste, due to businesses being unable to find viable alternative disposal points. In light of this, the Council may be able to provide permits (T7 Exemptions) to allow for the short-term reprocessing of some materials on site. The Local Planning Authority are also encouraging Site Waste Management Plans to be provided with all new planning applications to ensure that material is reused where possible and, if disposal is required, it is done so appropriately.
The Council is working with mainland aggregate suppliers to facilitate an alternative disposal route for construction and demolition waste, with coordination from local builders and contractors. We remind businesses and developers that there is no requirement to dispose of waste at the Council’s facilities. Provided the site/company to which the waste is being transferred is compliant, you will have fulfilled your legal duty with regard to waste disposal.
For more details on the types of construction and demolition waste currently suspended for acceptance at the Porthmellon Waste Management Site, please visit scilly.gov.uk/news/changes-commercial-waste.
For all other enquiries please call 01720 424000 or email infrastructure@scilly.gov.uk.