Fridge Mountain ?

EC Regulations on Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) came into effect on 1 October 2000.  The basis of the Regulations was to ensure the removal of ODS from refrigerators prior to disposal, from 1 January 2002.  Approximately 3 million domestic refrigerators are replaced each year in the UK and there were fears that a lack of suitable processing capacity would consequently lead to ‘fridge mountains’.  

Our client, MDJ Light Brothers (SP) Ltd, owns and operates a long established waste transfer, recycling and metal recovery facility at Greystone Quarry, Lewes, East Sussex.  Prior to January 2002, MDJ Light Brothers were already providing a service to Local Authorities for the collection and storage of refrigerators within the existing transfer station.  However, the adjacent land within the quarry was vacant and identified as a suitable site for the storage of refrigerators. 

RLCL involvement involved successfully obtaining planning permission for the storage of refrigerators within the quarry.  We also prepared the planning application for the operation of a mobile processing plant, for which planning permission was granted in July 2002.  The second aspect of our work involved the preparation of the Waste Management Licence application, working plan and financial provision agreements for the Environment Agency.  The project was managed by Alison Crooks. 

The site is now successfully operating and providing a service to Local Authorities, retailers and waste collection service providers.