Waste protocols provide a framework within which a recycled product is no longer classified as waste. Quality Protocols provide industry with much needed clarity, enabling businesses to develop sustainable markets and realise the full potential of recycled products.
The BREW Waste Protocols project is a joint initiative between WRAP and the Environment Agency.
In the first year (2006-07) the project team successfully developed and published the Quality Protocol for the production and use of quality compost from source-segregated biodegradable waste (See MoreThanWaste article).
The project team has also been progressing the development of quality protocols for 8 other waste streams that had been selected. These cover the following materials:
• Wood
• Waste vegetable oil
• Flat glass
• Non-packaging plastics
• Tyres (crumb and shred)
• Contaminated soils (washed and
stabilised)
• Pulverised fuel ash
• Blast furnace slag.
During the second year of the BREW project (2007/2008), the project team has indicated that it will release Quality Protocols for several of the remaining year 1 waste streams. Consultation is expected in summer 2007.
However, the Project team has also indicated that some of the waste streams selected were “not able to reach the point at which a quality protocol could be produced and a regulatory position statement will be produced instead”.
There are a number of aims of the joint project in Year 2:
• develop a methodology for producing a Quality Protocol;
• develop a training programme for implementing Quality Protocol requirements;
• identify 5 waste streams which are suitable for the development of a Quality Protocol.
Methodology for producing a Quality Protocol
WRAP and the Environment Agency say that they aim to develop a standard methodology for producing a Quality Protocol. Such a protocol could be provided to Industry, to help them to independently evaluate their waste stream.
Training programme
Suitable training programmes will be produced for each waste type for which a Quality Protocol is developed.
Five waste streams
In order to identify 5 waste streams which are suitable for the development of a Quality Protocol, the project team indicates that wastes will be assessed and short listed under the following criteria:
- waste characteristics,
- tonnages and
- market value.
A timetable has been set for the process of selecting the 5 waste streams with suggestions coming from various trade associations:
- 13 April: Deadline for receipt of submissions from Trade Associations.
- 4 May: Trade Associations will be informed of shortlist of wastes for further consideration.
- 16 May: A selection workshop will be held at which short listed candidates will be able to present the case for their waste.
- 20 May: Notification of the five protocols to be developed is expected from the project team.
Unsuitable waste types
The joint project team, through their first year work, found that there were some waste streams that were unsuitable for the development of a waste protocol in certain circumstances. They derived a set of categories that apply to waste types and which make them unlikely to be suitable for protocol development.
The categories are as follows:
• Reclassification would lead to negative impact on human health or the environment.
• There is no existing or pending infrastructure available within the UK to process the
waste type.
• The potential market for the waste type cannot be quantified.
• The only intended end use of the waste type is fuel.
• The waste stream can only be characterised using site specific risk assessment.
• Regulatory barriers.
Waste types outside these criteria by implication have the potential to be put forward for further consideration.
Further information
For further information together with a briefing note, questionnaire and waste selection presentation, visit the Environment Agency web site.