Steps to follow
- Are you an individual? You may be worried about air or noise pollution, or concerned about the impact of a major road or property development in your area. You may be able to use legal action to resolve your issue, for example, through planning laws.
- Local authority environmental officers will investigate noise pollution. Your local council will also be able to take action to deal with land and water pollution. You can respond to planning applications to make your concerns known about the environmental impact of proposed building projects.
- If you have environmental concerns, look for local community organisations which may already be campaigning. The more people involved, the more effective the voice. If no organisation exists, think about starting one.
- Are you a business or organisation? You must comply with environmental laws. You will be able to find out more information on this from your local authority or the Environment Agency. Trade associations also offer advice.
- The Carbon Trust can offer help on reducing your carbon emissions, and Envirowise (a free, government-funded organisation) can help you increase efficiency and reduce waste. The Environment Agency is the main regulatory government body for the environment, and has offices across England and Wales. Its Scottish equivalent is SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency).
- Businesses have a duty of care to make sure they handle waste safely and in compliance with regulations.
- You will need discharge consents and groundwater authorisations if you discharge anything other than clean water into surface waters or groundwater.
- You will need permits for a wide range of industrial and waste operations. As a basic rule, anything hazardous needs a permit or licence. It is your responsibility to check.
- You have a duty to protect your employees, visitors to your premises, local people and the environment from pollution. If you cause pollution, you have a duty to clear it up effectively.
- Make sure your premises are adequately ventilated.
- You need to comply with the WEEE regulations when disposing or selling electrical equipment.
Useful links
Free advice
www.environmentlaw.org.uk
www.ukela.org
www.elflaw.org
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
www.businesslink.gov.uk
www.businesslink.gov.uk
Online services
www.sepa.org.uk
www.claire.co.uk
www.field.org.uk
www.ciwm.co.uk
www.iema.net
www.ciwem.org
www.peba.info
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Useful articles
Overview of environmental obligations
Overview of environmental health and safety requirements
