Mr Norris last week (January 5) outlined proposals which could replace a large proportion of the current paper-based system for capturing waste transfer data with a “nationally-integrated” electronic system, which, subject to securing EU funding, could be developed from January 2011.
Currently, waste transfer notes must be created for every load of waste that is produced, both to show waste carriers and site operators exactly what waste they are dealing with and to ensure a clear audit trail for the waste. Copies of the notes must be kept for at least two years.
But, Mr Norris said that the Environment Agency had sought funding from the European Union's LIFE+ programme to support the development of a new electronic system for creating and maintaining the data, in the wake of a pilot 'Electronic Duty of Care' project it launched in May 2009.
In a written answer to a parliamentary question, he said that the EU money “would support the rollout of a nationally integrated system for the electronic capture of waste transfer data”.
“This would potentially displace a large proportion of the current paper-based system and considerably reduce the administrative burden to business, industry and Government,” he added.
Mr Norris said that, if the funding application was successful, Defra would use an open tender process to develop and maintain the waste monitoring database.
Pilot
The pilot 'Electronic Duty of Care' project was initially launched as a three-month trial as part of the Waste Crime Innovation Programme (WCIP), which is funded by Defra and managed by the Environment Agency.
This would potentially displace a large proportion of the current paper-based system and considerably reduce the administrative burden to business, industry and Government Dan Norris, waste and recycling minister
It uses mobile computer technology and a web-based tracking system to create and maintain electronic waste transfer notes, with six companies – including East London-based waste management firm Bywaters – volunteering to take part.
Noting that the pilot was set to be extended into 2010, Mr Norris said: “The pilot aims to test the effectiveness of waste tracking technologies and should deliver business benefits to waste companies, including substantially reducing regulatory compliance costs.
“With more accurate and timely data, business should be able to invest with greater confidence in infrastructure to recover and re-use wasted raw materials,” he added.
When the pilot was originally launched, the Environment Agency claimed that it would improve the quality of data, make it easier for producers to track their waste, help waste carriers to fulfil their Duty of Care obligations and reduce the risk of fly-tipping.
It aimed to involve two large, two medium and two small waste companies, with between five and 20 waste vehicles at each company electronically capturing up to 100 waste transfer notes a week.
As a result the Agency said it hoped to evaluate how the mobile computer technology could be used by all sizes of waste carriers, and, as well as reducing the need for paper-work, it aimed to speed up invoicing and capture electronic signatures to prove the collection and delivery of waste.
The Agency had plans to run a second trial, with more companies involved, if the initial trial was successful, and invited industry and other regulators to join an advisory board.
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