Government a long way from WFD compliance

The government is a long way from achieving complianceunder the EU Waste Framework Directive, according to Ray Georgeson, chief executive of the Resource Association.

Speaking at the RWM exhibition in Birmingham yesterday (September 11), the chief executive of the trade association for reprocessors and recyclersraised questions about the governments work on recyclate quality. Quality is a major theme within the Directive.

The comments came in light ofan ongoing Judicial Review, in whicha group of reprocessors are arguingthat the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 do not adequately reflect the requirements laid out in Waste Framework Directive for member states to introduce separate collections of paper, glass, metals and plastics for recycling by 2015 (see letsrecycle.com story).

Mr Georgeson said: I will hesitate to comment specifically on the Judicial Review. What I would say is that we prefer source separated collections but we live in a world which has seen an advancing number of local authorities go very far down the road on commingled collections.

As some councils are collecting commingled recyclables, which are sorted at materials recycling facilities (MRFs),Mr Georgesonsaid it was important to get the regulation of MRFs right.

For us, the government has critically got to demonstrate through its work with the Quality Action Plan and the MRF Code of Practice and other regulations that what comes out of that system needs careful supporting involvement if it is to be compliant under the Waste Framework Directive. At the moment I think they are a long way from that.

Commingled

Mr Georgesonsaid that if materials are to be collected commingled, they must be proven to be of the same quality as that from source separated collections.

He said: If we are going to do commingled collections then we have to do it properly and make sure we get good quality material in and out of MRFs. That is what we need, but we are a long way off from that now.

Headded that good quality recyclateis key if the UK is to build a circular, green economy.

MRFs

Meanwhile, also speakingin the session, Bill Griffiths, national recycling manager at Viridor, advocated the use of MRFs for sorting commingled recyclables and said that they can produce good quality recyclate as long as residents and local authorities work to reduce contamination.

Mr Griffiths said: MRFs can produce very high quality recyclate for recycling, there is no doubt about it. It is all about the people, not the machines, and making sure the quality of recyclate is good at the input and output.

He explained that the three As acceptance, assessment and analysis – of the recyclate being delivered to a MRF also had a part to play in ensuring good quality.

In addition, hesaid that good communication about the quality of recyclables between local authorities, MRF operators and reprocessors, and tackling the problems that arise, is vital if high quality materials are to be attained.