Quality Protocol for coal ash out for consultation

The Environment Agency and the Waste and Resources Action Programme has launched a consultation today (September 8) on plans to encourage the use of pulverised fuel ash (PFA) and furnace bottom ash (FBA) arising from the combustion of coal for energy in the building sector.

As with the majority of draft Quality Protocols, launched for materials ranging from waste lubricating oil to non-packaging plastic waste, the purpose of the Protocol is to define when the subject is no longer defined as “waste” but is instead a “product” – thereby making it more marketable.

Martin Brocklehurst, the head of environment protection, external programmes at the Environment Agency, said: “We have worked closely with industry to develop this Quality Protocol to ensure it meets their needs, while continuing to protect the environment. We are now keen to hear the views of wider stakeholders.”

Ash

PFA and FBA are ashes produced from the burning of coal to generate electricity in power station boilers, with almost seven million tonnes of PFA and FBA produced in the UK each year.

Some is used in well-established markets, such as for the manufacture of concrete and construction products including cement, general fill and grouting materials, however, around three million tonnes still ends-up in landfill.

The proposed Quality Protocol could potentially improve the marketability of the ash by removing the waste label and decrease the amount sent to landfill further.

Marcus Gover, director of market development at WRAP, said: “By establishing a consistent quality guarantee for PFA and FBA, this Quality Protocol will build confidence among end users.

“It will help recovered materials reach well-established markets, such as construction materials and grouting, while stimulating growth in less-developed markets. The Quality Protocol could also raise standards as it highlights good practice in the use of PFA and FBA,” he added.

Welcome

The launch of the draft Quality Protocol was welcomed today by the Association of Electricity Producers, which represents companies accounting for around 95% of the UK generating capacity. The organisation praised the environmental benefits of the regulation.

David Porter, chief executive of the AEP, said: “The Quality Protocol will allow the industry to access a wider market by removing the stigma of waste regulation. Environmentally this is also the better solution – requiring less landfill and less virgin material to be used in construction.”

A number of AEP members own and operate coal-fired power stations, and would welcome the ability to reuse the ash derived from combustion rather than sending it to landfill.

Mr Porter said: “The development of the Quality Protocol is an opportunity to make the use of ash from power stations easier for other industries. In a world where resources are becoming ever more precious, we cannot afford to send pulverised ash to landfill rather than reuse it. Ash can replace virgin materials in cement and concrete manufacturing, for example.

“Power station operators have long regarded ash as a by-product and resource, rather than a waste. We are delighted that the Quality Protocol recognises that ash should be regulated with a very light touch. For power station operators, selling the ash for reuse is preferable to putting it into landfill,” he added.

Obligation

The consultation document for the Quality Protocol states that it does not affect the obligation of producers to comply with conditions for existing environmental permits that applies to the combustion of coal for energy production.

Consultation on the Quality Protocol for the production of PFA and FBA for use in construction and manufacturing will close on December 1 2008.