The Wood Recyclers Association has launched a voluntary code and workbook which instructs companies on how to improve the operational, health and safety and environmental standards at their sites.
Funded by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), the Wood Recycling Industry Code of Practice was developed during a one-year consultation process and is designed to create a level playing field for responsible organisations and promote the professionalism of the industry to suppliers, customers, regulators and government.
It is hoped that both WRA members and non-members will want to sign up, and that key customer groups will confer preferred supplier status on code members.
All WRA members have all committed to working towards complying with the Code of Practice and new members will be required to do the same.
Alastair Kerr, director general of the Wood Panel Industries Federation, which represents the largest customer base for recycled woodchip, said: “We welcome the Wood Recyclers' Code of Practice as a tool to support those companies who are striving to grow and develop their businesses in a responsible and sustainable manner.
“Raising standards across the industry will be to benefit of all concerned and we would encourage the wood recycling industry to embrace the Code of Practice,” he added.
Industry
The wood recycling industry has developed rapidly over the last few years, processing over 1.9 million tonnes of material in 2007.
At the same time, stakeholders such as panelboard mills and energy generators are coming under increasing pressure from environmental legislation – meaning that it is important that wood recyclers do at much as possible to make sure their products meet the required quality standards without entailing costly over-processing.
Writing in the code document, the WRA explained: “The code is designed to instil confidence in stakeholders: by dealing with a wood recycler which is a Code of Practice member, you can be confident that you are dealing with a responsible company, which operates to agreed standards and has undergone third party scrutiny.”
Authority
Although not yet established due to lack of funds, a Wood Recycling Code of Practice Authority (WRCPA) is to be set up to manage the code and will include representatives from a range of organisations including the WRA and WPIF.
Among its responsibilities, the body will establish an audit protocol for verifying compliance with the code, prepare and publish code documentation and award code certificates and logos.
In June, the WRA also launched a wood packaging protocol and published the first wood waste market figures in four years (see letsrecycle.com story).
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