Best Practicable Environmental Option BPEO

BEST PRACTICABLE ENVIRONMENTAL OPTION (bpeo) Organizations may be eneouraged to undertake systematie deeision proeesses with a view to seeking the BPEO that provides the most benefit (or least damage) to the environment, at an aeeeptable eost. 

This act completely reformed arrangements for controlling pollution at national and local levels and created a complete interlocking framework for pollution control. It introduced integrated pollution control (IPC), a new approach with waste minimization at its centre and a commitment to higher environmental standards via the concept of the best practical environmental option (BPEO). The reform of waste disposal is designed to minimize waste and maximize recycling. 

The RCEP 17th report also recommended that the UK Department of the Environment (UK DoE) press forward with studies to determine the Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO) for particular waste streams. This concept is important modem waste management and is worthy of further consideration at this point. 

As in all cases a total assessment of the environmental impact of all aspects of the alternative is required to decide on the Best Available Technique (BAT) or Best Practical Environmental Option (BPEO). 

The aim of IPC is to control pollution of the whole environment under a single enforcement system and to achieve the Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO) by using BATNEEC (Best Available Techniques Not Entailing Excessive Cost) to minimize the overall environmental impact of a process. Part B processes only need satisfy the BATNEEC requirement. 

It should be recognised however, that it is not always feasible (economically, technically or environmentally) to follow this shategy. Other means and principles may be necessary to formulate local waste strategies such as the precautionary principle, tire proximity principle, life cycle analysis and the Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO), which all apply to decisions about waste management. The BPEO is the option that provides the most benefits or least damage to the environment as a whole, at an acceptable cost, in the long term as well as the short term. 

The best available techniques not entailing excessive costs (BATNEEC) are used >- If a process involves release into more than one medium (e.g. air and water), the operator uses the best practicable environmental option (BPEO) to achieve the best overall environmental solution > The operator complies with any directions given by the Secretary of State for the Environment or other applicable requirements or standards. 

It seems inevitable, however, that recycling practice will involve a combination of all options. This is categorised as the Best Practical Environmental Option (BPEO) by waste management specialists and is defined as ... 

A further obstacle to the development of sustainable landfilling practices is the reliance on a strict waste management hierarchy (Qiapter 1), diat places landfill as a last resort measure. Waste mimimisation and recycling should, under most circumstances, remain the preferred waste management options, but once these possibilities have been exhausted, the choice of treatment/disposal route should be on the basis of the Best Practicable Environmental Option. This will equate with the most sustainable option. LandflU will almost certainly constitute BPEO for some waste streams, and for these wastes, landfill should be used as the preferred management option. 

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