Conference Seminar Confirmed

In any situation where large quantities of waste are handled and treated, there is a potential for the generation and escape of offensive odours.  This potential is significantly increased if the waste is biodegradable and this incorporates a raft of waste handling operations such as: municipal solid waste, landfilling, composting and anaerobic waste digestion.  The control of odour from waste management facilities is the responsibility of the Environment Agency, but the potential for odour nuisance from a site is also a major factor in the determination of a planning application.  Modern techniques for odour prevention and control mean that it can be controlled at source by good operational practices, appropriate maintenance of plant and suitable operator training.  It is important to ensure that this is carried out, as there is a requirement on the operators of such facilities to ensure that any such odours are controlled so as not to harm human health or amenity off the site.  Where a waste management facilities is situated close to residential, commercial, industrial or amenity areas there is an increased likelihood of complaint and once a site is recognised by the public as a potential source of odour, then additional vigilance is required in order to prevent a major odour nuisance.  

It is the aim of this seminar to review the legislation on the control of odours from waste handling facilities and to understand by case-study, how this is interpreted and applied by the competent authorities.  It will review the background to odour formation and release and describe the terminologies used in descriptions of the problem.  It will consider the application of odour mapping and dispersion studies as a key element in a control strategy.  It will examine those sites most associated with odour complaints and review the steps that can be taken to reduce such complaints.  Finally, it will outline the key components of a suitable odour risk assessment and understand how odours can be mitigated by an appropriate site odour management plan. 

Programme on its way...!