The new Quality Protocol for recycled gypsum will put an end to its beneficial use in agriculture as well as impacting negatively on the plasterboard recycling industry, according to the gypsum reprocessors association.
In addition, the Gypsum Re-processors Association UK and Ireland (GRAUKI) believes that there will be a short term increase in the illegal disposal of waste plasterboard due to the removal of agricultural soil treatment as an approved end-use for recycled gypsum in the QP.
The Quality Protocol (QP) for the production and use of recycled gypsum from waste plasterboard was published by the Environment Agency earlier this month (see letsrecycle.com story) and designates just two permitted end uses for the material for plasterboard manufacture or for cement production.
As a result, under the Protocol, all recycled gypsum can now only be spread to land as a waste, for which gypsum reprocessors will need to apply for a permit.
According to GRAUKI, which represents nine companies including Countrystyle: In practice the cost and legislative cosntraints are such that GRAUKI members feel that this will put an end to the beneficial use of recycled gypsum in agriculture.
The trade association added: This change will have a negative impact on the overall capacity of the plasterboard recycling industry in the UK which is already struggling to cope with the amount of gypsum waste generated.
GRAUKI previously raised concerns last year that the Agency could strangle the plasterboard recycling industry unless it permitted more end uses for recycled gypsum (see letsrecycle.com story).
Illegal disposal
But, although GRAUKI expects a short-term increase in the illegal disposal of waste plasterboard as a result of the change, it welcomed the Agencys attempts to tighten the rules and clamp down on illegal practices.
‘This change will have a negative impact on the overall capacity of the plasterboard recycling industry in the UK which is already struggling to cope with the amount of gypsum waste generated.’
GRAUKI
GRAUKI stated: However recyclers are hopeful that this tightening of the rules will allow the EA to clamp down on the widespread illegal disposal of waste plasterboard into hardcore, trommel fines, unpermitted composting and quarry filling.
It is as important as it ever has been for waste producers to ensure they are carrying out their Duty of Care obligations and ensuring their waste plasterboard is being handled correctly and legally.
GRAUKI members include: New West Gypsum Recycling (UK) Ltd, Roy Hatfield Ltd, Countrystyle Recycling Ltd, 2G Environmental, Baron Recycling (Ireland), Tradebe Recycling, Arrow Gypsum Recycling, 4Recycling Ltd and PRS Recycling.
Quality Protocols
The gypsum QP was developed by the Environment Agency and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) in consultation with national UK governments and other regulatory stakeholders. Funded by Defra, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), it is applicable throughout the UK.
Quality Protocols identify the point at which waste, having been fully recovered, may be regarded as a non-waste product that can be used in specified markets, without the need for waste management controls.
They also aim to increase market confidence in the quality of materials produced from waste in response to uncertainty of the point at which waste has been fully recovered ceases to be a waste within the meaning of Article 3(1) of the EU Waste Framework Directive.
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