The study will examine samples of materials collected separately for recycling to assess typical levels of contamination in five key materials paper, card, glass, plastics and metals. Consultancy RPS Consulting Engineers have been commissioned to carry out the research.
It forms part of Scottish Government proposals to maximise high quality recycling through its Zero Waste Plan, which was passed by the Scottish Parliament in May 2012 (see letsrecycle.com story).
As well as provisions to introduce landfill bans and separate collections for food and other waste types, the regulations require key recyclable materials to be collected separately, except where it can be demonstrated that a mixed or commingled collection can achieve similar levels of quality.
Iain Gulland, director of Zero Waste Scotland, said: Maximising quality is essential if we are to realise the economic and environmental benefits of recycling and develop a more circular economy. This is an important study which will give operators of commingled collections a clear indication of the standards they might be expected to meet to comply with the new regulations.
Enforcement
According to Zero Waste Scotland, by creating a benchmark for quality levels typically obtained through separate collections, the research will inform how the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) enforces the new regulations.
Principle policy officer at SEPA, Gary Walker, welcomed the study, as he said the Agency requires good baseline information to help target our regulatory efforts where they will most effectively support high quality recycling.
He said: This study will also enable the local authorities and waste management contractors who provide collection services to determine whether their collection systems are sufficiently robust to deliver the quantity and quality of recyclate required.
In total, the research will analyse both household and commercial and industrial waste from 162 sites across the UK, including local authorities, bulking stations, transfer stations, and reprocessors.
Project director, Barbara Leach, added: Its critical that as many operators agree to take part as possible so we can be sure we have a reliable picture of recyclate quality. We appreciate that for some sites it may mean a little inconvenience, but we will work with you to minimise that and well be on site for just one day. Your help will ensure that the project is a success.
Zero Waste Scotland is a programme delivered by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) for the Scottish Government.
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