The consultation – which will run until March 12, 2009 – seeks views on the draft protocol, which clarifies when paper sludge ash ceases to be waste and can be recycled into alternative uses such as agricultural liming, concrete blocks and cement.
The draft Protocol is part of the Waste Protocols Project initiative launched by the Environment Agency and WRAP to examine best practice for a range of different material streams.
Expansion
Currently, 125,000 tonnes of paper sludge ash (PSA) is generated annually by UK paper mills, with 30% of this going to landfill. This figure could rise during 2009/10, with some expansion planned at existing mills and a new newsprint mill becoming operational.
Marcus Gover, director of market development at WRAP, said: “Sending PSA to landfill is a waste of a potentially useful resource. All of our research indicates this protocol will provide users with confidence that the PSA they purchase conforms to agreed quality standards and help stimulate the market.”
“PSA can be used as a lime substitute and aggregates filler and the quality protocol outlines various ways that PSA can be recycled including in agricultural liming, concrete blocks and cement. The minimum potential market for PSA is conservatively estimated at 300,000 tonnes per year,” he added.
Landfill
Martin Brocklehurst, head of environment protection external programmes at the Environment Agency, said: “It is costing industry to landfill PSA and we want to see this material utilised. By clarifying at which point PSA ceases to be a waste and the waste regulations no longer apply, the Protocol will make it easier to market and encourage greater use. It will reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill as well as ease the regulatory burden and costs for businesses.
“This consultation is an important part of the development of the Quality Protocol and we need to hear from a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the final guidance is practical and delivers benefits for both the environment and business,” added Mr Brocklehurst.
In addition to PSA, the Waste Protocols Project currently has consultations running on the production and use of gypsum from waste plasterboard (see letsrecycle.com story) and also the production of pulverised fuel ash (PFA) and furnace bottom ash (FBA) for use in construction and manufacturing (see letsrecycle.com story). These are due to close on January 22 and 26 2009, respectively.
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