Case Studies - Environment

IPPC Applications

The Project

The Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) regime to control the environmental effects of industrial activities is being phased in across a number of industrial sectors on a rolling schedule ending in 2007.

Making a successful IPPC application requires the applicant to gather and present a comprehensive range of information about their activities including:

Raw Material and Water Use
Energy
Main Activities and Abatement
Accidents and De-Commissioning
Waste Management
Monitoring and Emissions
Ground Contamination
Overall Environmental Impact

In addition to the above, applicants are required to undertake a site investigation to establish baseline contamination levels, and to carry out monitoring and quantification of significant environmental emissions.

Pro Enviro manages and co-ordinates all the varied aspects of the application on behalf of our clients to ensure successful completion within the required application timeframe. This has included an application for the McArthur Group undertaken at short notice within one month as required to submission within the relevant time "window".

The Completion

Pro Enviro is currently undertaking work to successfully complete IPPC applications for a number of clients, including Exhall Plating and Lowe & Fletcher Metal Finishing. By working together with our clients we ensure the correct information is gathered and presented appropriately.

To successfully complete applications Pro Enviro's staff undertake the following:

Discussion with the Environment Agency to clarify their expectations of the application and to establish the level of detail required.
Conducting a thorough review of the applicant's activities and assessment of whether compliance with Best Available Technique (BAT) requirements is being achieved.
Advising clients on works necessary to ensure compliance with BAT, or justifying existing practices in situations where compliance is not possible/advisable.
Site investigative works to ensure a baseline for site contamination and the potential for off-site migration of any contaminants is established.
Negotiating with the Environment Agency and client to put together a timetabled programme of site/activity improvements and on-going monitoring where relevant.

Communication with clients is a priority and regular update meetings are held to discuss the aspects of the application in a structured manner, and to obtain client feedback.

All work is submitted to clients for approval and clients are encouraged to provide feedback.

The Achievements

By working with our clients we set an organised timetable for gathering information and discussing issues arising. Applications are submitted for client approval on a section-by-section basis in plenty of time to ensure accuracy. This gives the clients an opportunity to see the application and provide feedback.

By undertaking the IPPC application process with and on behalf of our clients, Pro Enviro has effectively given clients the chance to thoroughly review their environmental processes, impacts and legislative requirements in a structured manner. Pro Enviro has been able to provide advice to clients, enabling the achievement of BAT compliance general improvements in environmental performance across the board.

The Benefits

Contracting Pro Enviro to undertake their IPPC applications has meant clients have been free to maximise the time they spend running their business, and has given them access to expert advice on a range of environmental aspects of their activities to ensure compliance.

As a by-product of making their IPPC applications, clients have been encouraged to make a number of environmental improvements to their sites, which will benefit them in the longer term and contribute to the on-going sustainability of their activities.

The main client benefit is obtaining crucial permission to continue their activities in the way that is easiest and least time consuming for them.