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Legislation varies depending on what liquid wastes are be stored in storage tanks and in what volumes. A ground or vehicle maintenance department may store any number of wastes including: solvents for cleaning and degreasing and fuel.

Careful consideration should be given to the safe storage of this waste and also any leaks or air emissions that may escape during emptying/filling of storage tanks.

Organic solvents are used widely by UK industry for a range of processes. However, many industrial solvents and solvent-based coatings are expensive to buy and emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have the potential to harm the environment. Environmental legislation therefore places strict controls on VOC emissions from industry. Under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the more polluting processes are regulated under Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) and the less harmful processes under Local Air Pollution Control (LAPC).

Refer to Environment Agency NetRegs for guidance on regulations applicable to the waste being stored.