“Major change” predicted for wood recycling industry

Speaking at the Association's quarterly meeting in Birmingham yesterday, chairman Geoff Hadfield welcomed plans by the Agency to review the quality standards at which wood is no longer classed as a waste.

A new quality protocol could ease legal controls on the handling of clean recycled wood

The plans – which were discussed by the first Target Action Group meeting of stakeholders on Monday – would see wood recyclers facing fewer restrictions and controls on their handling of recycled wood.

In a similar development to the protocol on composting already being developed (see letsrecycle.com story), a quality protocol for wood could see companies handling fully recycled material no longer needing a waste management licence.

Biomass
The move could also mean that some recycled wood, currently classed as waste, would escape the Waste Incineration Directive, making it more attractive for biomass plants and board mills to use as a fuel.

The Agency launched a review of the definition of wood waste with WRAP in May, as one of ten waste streams (see letsrecycle.com story). Hopes are the wood protocol could be published in March 2007.

” I think this is one of the major step changes this industry will see throughout its history. “
– Geoff Hadfield, Wood Recyclers' Association
Mr Hadfield said: “I think this is one of the major step changes this industry will see throughout its history. I think the government realises that there may not be enough material for all markets unless some wood is not classed as waste.”

Grades
Toby Beadle, a recycling consultant who has worked on the biomass project on Teesside, attended the first meeting of the Target Action Group.

Mr Beadle said he had proposed four newly-designated grades of waste wood to combat “confusing” definitions within a possible protocol.

These proposed grades were:

• Grade 1 – Packaging waste and production offcuts
• Grade 2 – Panel board feedstock – includes grade 1 material as well as wood that is not treated or panel products
• Grade 3 – Fuel specification wood – includes grade 1 and 2 wood, plus treated wood and panel products.
• Grade 4 – hazardous waste – wood treated with “hazardous” substances like creosote.

Mr Beadle told letsrecycle.com: “The definition of wood needs to be clear because it's too restrictive at the moment. Recycled wood is a natural for the process of redefining as is attractive to many markets and doesn't provide a threat.”

He added: “The Environment Agency were very open to consultation and I got lots of positive vibes from them. Usually it takes ages to develop quality protocol but the timetable is remarkable. For us to have the EA reducing the burden of complying with legislation is a really positive step – they are engaging with industry to try to achieve that.”