Skip hire trade body UROC is to ask its members whether Loss on Ignition (LOI) testing on trommel fines should be made compulsory, after holding productive talks with HMRC and trade association representatives last week.
The meeting, which was held on January 29, saw a Working Group comprised of the United Resource Operators Consortium, the Treasury, HMRC, and the Environmental Services Association (ESA), gather to discuss a solution to the ongoing trommel fines debate.
The debate revolves around plans to clarify the rules surrounding landfill tax, which could see disposal of trommel fines cost 72 per tonne a material that has historically attracted a 2.50 per tonne charge. The standard rate of tax is due to increase to 80 per tonne from April this year (see letsrecycle.com story).
In the latest development on talks between government and the waste industry, UROC will report back to the group on whether its members think LOI testing is an appropriate test for determining what materials should attract a lower rate of landfill tax, which will provide essential data ahead of the next meeting on March 4.
LOI testing which is favoured by the ESA and a number of its members involves igniting a sample of material to determine how much moisture is lost. The practice would provide an alternative to visual tests, which some claim are open to exploitation by landfill operators.
The trade body will ask members what tolerance would be required for test results, what trommel equipment and screen sizes are being used, and whether testing should be conducted in-house or at an external laboratory.
The questionnaire will also ask what processes skip hire firms adopt in practice, whether they have entered discussions with their landfill operator to establish lower rate of disposal, and crucially, whether a testing regime should be voluntary or compulsory.
LOI testing
LOI testing was branded impractical by LRS consultant and former Veolia deputy chief executive Paul Levett in October last year, who claimed there would be delays in getting the results back from an external site (see letsrecycle.com story).
Criticism or issues highlighted in the feedback will be consolidated into a formal Impact Statement, which will be considered by government ministers.
A UROC statement read: UROC has been tasked with a number of action points to prepare in advance of the next Working Group meeting scheduled on March 4 2014. In order for trommel fines to be accepted for disposal at the lower rate landfill tax it is essential that there is certainty of testing parameters in terms of an appropriate test method and frequency of testing.
The objective is to develop a fit for purpose Process Protocol which will be supported by guidance that can be easily implemented and followed by those producing trommel fines. It is anticipated that if a suitable regime can be established then everyone will be clear on what is and is not permissible for disposal at the lower rate tax.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for ESA confirmed the meeting had been productive, with all organisations looking forward to the next stage of discussions.
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