+44 1670 811584
+1 304-253-0777
Waste and recycling sites can comply with environmental permit regulations in confidence by adopting advanced odour and dust control technologies. Modern odour and dust suppression systems target emissions at source, reducing resource use and automating waste treatment. Effective dust control systems improve air quality, lower system maintenance and reduce operational risk.
Where to start with odour and dust compliance
All industrial and commercial waste management sites including landfills and recycling centres must control airborne dust and odours to meet environmental and workplace safety standards. This includes limiting particulate emissions, managing hazardous dust exposure, and preventing nuisance odours that may affect local communities.
Why odour and dust compliance matters for waste facilities
- Avoid fines, enforcement action, and operational disruption
- Protect worker health and safety as well as improving wellbeing
- Reduce complaints from nearby communities
- Improve operational efficiency
- Lower water, chemical, and energy usage
- Meet sustainability and ESG targets
Odour and dust control solutions
Waste and recycling sites use a range of dust and odour control technologies, each with different performance levels.:
- High-pressure misting systems: use fine spray to effectively capture dust. All misting systems require regular maintenance to optimise nozzle performance
- Dust cannons (fog cannons): provide wide-area coverage and are well-suited to large sites, typically using higher volumes of water and energy
- Chemical spray systems: apply odour masking or suppression agents and are commonly used where precise targeting is not required
- Dry suppression systems: use binding agents for effective dust control, and are not designed to address odours
- Spinning disc atomisation systems: produce uniform droplets at low pressure for efficient dust capture and targeted odour neutralisation.
Low water misting systems
Spinning disc atomisation is designed to overcome the limitations of traditional dust suppression systems:
- Consistent droplet size (monodispersed) improves dust and odour capture efficiency
- Low water usage, typically 1–3 litres per minute or less
- Minimal clogging due to larger apertures and low-pressure operation
- Lower energy consumption without high-pressure pumps or large fans
- Reduced chemical waste through targeted application
- Ability to neutralise odours at a molecular level rather than masking them
- Easy integration into existing infrastructure such as conveyors, vents, and tipping areas
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Q: Why is my odour control not working?
A: It could be because the odour management system is treating the symptom rather than the source. The odour control technology could be underpowered, poorly maintained, or not designed for the actual odour load on site. Find out more here or contact us to discuss how you can improve odour control at your site.
Q: What regulations apply to waste management sites in the UK?
A: There are different regulations waste management sites should consider that demand proactive risk mitigation, such as source extraction and operational procedures, to minimise environmental impact and ensure regulatory compliance.
Here is a list of some of the key legal requirements and guidelines:
Q: How does ISO 14001 apply to dust management?
A: Probe Industries’ environmental management system (EMS) is ISO 14001 certified. Every site will have its own EMS with its own permit conditions and odour and dust management plans.
Q: What is the most effective odour control method?
A: The most effective method for odour control at waste processing sites is source-level neutralisation using atomisation systems.
Q: What is the difference between odour masking and odour elimination?
A: Odour masking temporarily covers unpleasant smells with fragrance, while odour elimination neutralises the odour molecules at source for longer-lasting control. Find out more.
Q: How can waste management sites reduce water usage?
A: Water usage can be reduced by using low-flow atomisation systems that create uniform droplets at source. This low-flow system means less water is needed to control dust and odour effectively.
Q: Can atomisation systems be retrofitted?
A: Yes, odour and dust atomisation control systems integrate with existing infrastructure to add new levels of regulatory compliance while maintaining current processes.
Q: Does the Environment Act 2021 apply to waste sites?
A: Yes, the Environment Act 2021 matters because the Act strengthens the UK’s wider environmental framework, including air quality targets and waste policy. This can affect how waste sites are regulated and expected to operate. Dust limits for every site, however, are handled through environmental permits. The Environment Act 2021 gave government a legal framework for setting air quality targets, including targets on fine particles such as PM2.5, and for updating air quality strategy. For waste sites, that means activities that release dust, particulates, smoke, or other emissions are more likely to be scrutinised against broader clean-air goals.
Find out more
Probe Industries has specialised in industrial odour and dust control since 1995, using innovative engineering design to create Probe Atomiser technology, based on a powerful misting system that is more efficient than nozzle-based methods. Our powerful misting system delivers greater efficiency than traditional nozzle-based methods, helping you achieve cleaner, more compliant operations.
If you’re looking to improve air quality or tackle site-specific challenges, get in touch with our team today. We’ll be happy to discuss your requirements and arrange a call to explore the best solution for your site.