U12: using mulch

The U12 exemption allows landscapers, farmers and growers to spread mulch using wood chips and plant matter made from waste.

Conditions

You must comply with the exemption conditions. 

The waste you use must:  

• match the waste codes 
• be suitable for mulching
• be stored in a secure location before it is used

You cannot:

• use more waste than is needed to protect and benefit the soil - using more is classed as disposal
• store and use more than the maximum amount allowed
• use waste wood that has been chemically treated

Chemically treated waste wood means it has been preserved, varnished, coated, painted or exposed to chemicals.

Types and amounts of waste you can use

Your waste must fit within the waste code and description.

Waste codes	Type of waste
02 01 03 19 12 07 20 02 01	Untreated wood and plant matter

You can store or use up to 100 tonnes of mulch in total in any month.

Check if you need other permits 

You must comply with other rules that apply to your activity. You’ll need an environmental permit or a different exemption if you want to use:   

• waste that is not listed in this exemption   
• more waste than is allowed

Waste activity along a linear network 

Linear networks are long stretches that do not have a defined address or gridpoint. They include roads, rivers, canals and railways.   

You can register a U12 exemption if the mulch is produced and used on the same linear network. You cannot import waste mulch from other sites.  

You can use up to 10 tonnes of mulch per linear mile per month.

Register a U12 waste exemption 

YouMost mustbusinesses can register withand pay through the waste exemption service.  

There’s a different process for linear networks and multiple site registrations.

Linear networks and multiple site registrations 

Complete this registration form instead of using the Environmentonline Agency.service.  

Read the updated guidance on linear network registration to find out more.

Charities register by phone  free  

Charities do not have to pay for waste exemptions. If you’re a charitycharity, orcall organisationthe thatEnvironment worksAgency onlyto forregister charitablefree. 

To qualify as a charity, all your organisation’s aims and purposes, callmust thebe Environmentexclusively Agencycharitable. toYour registerorganisation freemust ofalso charge.operate for the public benefit.  

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Read networksthe Charity Commission’s list and multipledescriptions siteof registrations 

You’llcharitable needpurposes to completefind thisout registrationif formyour insteadorganisation offalls usingwithin one of the online13 service.types of charitable activity.

Registration rules 

You cannot: 

• have more than one U12 at a site at the same time 
• register a U12 if it’s already been registered at the site by another business 
• renew your registration more than one month before the 3-year registration period ends 
• increase the storage limit by registering a separate storage exemption  
• store waste that’s not included in the exemption
• deregister an exemption then register it again within 3 years of the start of the earlier registration 

Waste exemption charges    

Read waste exemption charges to find out what the charges are.  

U12 exemption has a band 3 compliance charge.  

There’s a registration charge to register one or more exemptions at a time.  

Farmer charges 

Farmers pay a capped charge for any number of farming exemptions. U12 is included in the list of farming exemptions.

Read waste exemptions guidance in full.

U12 related exemptions

T6: treating waste wood and plant matter

U10: spreading waste to benefit agricultural land

U11: spreading waste on non-agricultural land

Contact the Environment Agency