Plans for a new Code of Practice to improve the quality of material inputs and outputs at materials recycling facilities received a broad welcome at a pan-industry event held in Birmingham yesterday (June 28).
But, some of those present raised concerns over the decision not to include specific standards or requirements for material in the proposals for the Code.
Yesterdays joint Defra/WRAP/ESA/EA event heard that firm proposals for the Code of Practice were set to be published in September or October 2011.
The document was first mentioned in this months Waste Review and is part of the new waste sector responsibility deal between the government and the waste industry which was unveiled last week (see letsrecycle.com story).
At yesterdays event, David Sher of the Environmental Services Association explained that it has been developed in partnership by the trade body with Defra, WRAP and the EA. The Code aims to introduce requirements for MRFs in relation to quality management, exports and the integrity of markets.
By addressing these issues, the Code is intended to build confidence across the MRF supply chain both among local authorities supplying recyclables to facilities and reprocessors buying material once it has been sorted.
But, the approach being taken towards promoting material quality was questioned by Andy Moore, of the Campaign for Real Recycling. He took issue with the decision not to include specific quality requirements for MRF output materials in the proposals for the Code, something he claimed was a key requirement of the reprocessing sector.
Framework
In response, Mr Sher stressed that the role of the code was to create a framework where standards for input and output material could be agreed on a case-by-case, contractual, basis between MRF operators, reprocessors and local authorities.
We think standards are very much something you may wish to engage on with a MRF but dont think its our position to dictate exactly what those standards need be, he said.
Were creating a framework where you, or any other reprocessor, can do that with a MRF. Were creating a culture where you can decide that is with a MRF.
He added: We think very much that commercial specifications are an important part of the market. We want to facilitate that but we dont want to dictate that.
Mr Shers position was backed up by Richard Skehens, the chief executive of Grundon, who chaired yesterdays event. He said: Were playing in a global market place now so standards have to be part of a contract between a reprocessor and a MRF.
The potential for the Code to raise material quality standards was highlighted by Steve Waite, sector specialist for MRFs and Materials Sourcing at WRAP, who said: The key of that is there will be materials testing for both inputs and outputs so that should mean that operators are able to produce material of known composition levels which will be there for all to see.
As such, it should drive up quality levels as reprocessors will be able to target MRFs producing better quality and so will local authorities.
Councils
However, concerns were raised at the event over a perceived lack of local authority involvement in the development of the Code of Practice proposals.
In response, Mr Sher stressed they had an important role to play, and said: Weve very keen to engage with local authorities and get their views. Well hopefully get feedback from local authorities as key stakeholders in this.
In general, the progress made in developing the Code of Practice proposals to a stage where they are almost ready to be formally published was welcomed by attendees at the event, with particular praise for the partnership working involved (see letsrecycle.com story).
But, one reprocessor present yesterday told letsrecycle.com that the lack of more specific requirements in the code was a real concern and also questioned who would benefit financially from managing the Code of Practice if membership of it was made mandatory for MRF operators.
Mandatory
The potential for the Code to be a mandatory tool was raised in the Waste Review, and speaking yesterday, Defra official Louise Clark confirmed this was still a possibility.
Ms Clark, who is policy lead on business waste and recycling at the department, gave an update on the code progress, explaining that Defra was developing an impact assessment on various options of regulation and voluntary introduction over the summer.
By September and October well be able to confirm what options are favourable and if its mandatory well then run a consultation in the autumn, she added.
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