The tool, produced under the European Union-based Equal project involving the Agency and a number of partners is now available for user-testing of two types of materials: aggregates and compost.
User of the tool will be able to self-assess whether their waste-derived product complies with an existing Quality Protocol (which sets out the conditions under which a particular waste can be considered to have been recovered and is therefore no longer classed as waste).
Eventually, the tool may also be used by waste producers (such as manufacturers) and the waste industry (as collectors of waste) to help see if something can be done to the waste to turn it into a material or product that would no longer be classified as waste.
Environment Agency programme manager Roger Hoare, said: We believe that this initiative will provide both regulators and industry with the tools to help maximise the opportunity that End-of-Waste Quality Protocols present. The QP Checker provides clarity regarding when End-of-Waste is achieved, helping to support a more consistent regulators approach and improve market confidence in waste-derived products. It is also very timely given the launch next month of the revised QP for aggregates.
Guidance
Mr Hoare told letsrecycle.com that the online tool is a really simple light touch tool to assess compliance. Users will find that their product either passes or they will receive more guidance.
If the users material passes, they will receive a a badged PDF to show they achieved status correctly.
Mr Hoare likened the tool to being a a preaudit for compost and aggregates.
The Organics Recycling Group is one of the partners and Jeremy Jacobs, technical director of the REA/ORG said: Our members have been involved in the development and initial testing of the web tool and will find it a very helpful and efficient way of checking compliance.
John Lay, product quality director for cement and building products at Cemex, said: If this was made available to all it would certainly raise the bar and ensure compliance to the requirements, to the benefit of all responsible businesses like Cemex and the environment.
Support
Asked why the Agency was producing the online tool, Mr Hoare said: This is about making sure we support waste derived products achieving the end of waste. We will have a lot of quality protocols by 2020 and these could be worth billion in terms of economic opportunity.
The quality protocols come as part of the Agencys drive to promote resource efficiency. Mr Hoare said that the protocols will help fulfil this drive by making more muse of materials and helping those involved to obtain the non-waste status for materials. I think people did think perhaps that that it a daunting and onerous process. But, people have been incredibly positive about what is a voluntary systems that allows them to promote the good work they are doing.
Mr Hoare added: Anyone handling waste will have an interest in it. For waste producers if they think there is something extra they can add they can use it.
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