A written question has been raised in the House of Commons to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affair asking, “what assessment he has made of the reasons for the level of recycling of timber; and what steps he is taking to increase the level”. The question was raised by Roger Williams, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire.
In response Minister for waste, Joan Ruddock, referred to research by ERM and Golder Associates which “suggests that it is generally better, in carbon and energy terms, to recover energy from waste wood than to recycle it, with either option being far better than landfill”.
In statistical terms the Minister said that an estimate put current wood recycling at 16% with 80% also being landfilled. These figures appear to suggest that only 4% of waste wood is being recovered through energy production.
She also indicated that no specific assessment has been made of the reasons for the current level of wood recycling, in response to the question.
The waste and resources action programme (WRAP) is promoting the development of recycling capacity for clean waste wood and also for the development of markets for the ensuing products according to the Minister.
The majority of waste wood is in fact unsuitable for recycling and estimates show that this material is mainly going to landfill. The Government has shown its intention to recover energy from these materials and hence divert wood wastes from landfill, in the waste strategy for England 2007.
Ms Ruddock also indicated that work is being undertaken through DEFRA’s waste implementation programme, to address the barriers to further development of energy markets for waste wood.
Further information
The report referred to by Joan Ruddock is:
Carbon Balances and Energy Impacts of the Management of UK Wastes, report by ERM and Golder Associates for DEFRA, Final Report, March 2007. The report can be downloaded from the Defra website.
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