Developed jointly by Zero Waste Scotland and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) the Materials Recovery Facilities Testing and Reporting Guidance, provides assistance for permit holders with the introduction of sampling and testing regimes in line with the requirements of the MRF Code of Practice.
The Scottish Government has introduced the new Code of Practice for materials with the aim of improving the quality of materials entering the market.
Ahead of this, Zero Waste Scotland has also provided grant funding for MRF operators to purchase the equipment needed to enable them to meet the requirements of the code.
The Code applies to facilities that receive, or are likely to receive, 1,000 tonnes or more of mixed dry recyclable materials (comprising of two or more materials) or separately collected dry recyclable waste for sorting, over a 12 month period.
RWM
Launching the guide at the RWM event in Birmingham, Iain Gulland, chief executive, Zero Waste Scotland said: “The MRF Code of Practice is all about driving the quality of material being generated through recycling, helping to identify where there might be issues, and helping to address them. This is helps to ensure a market for recycled materials. While the Code of Practice is a change for local authorities, Zero Waste Scotland is providing support via both the new guidance we’re launching here at RWM, which outlines clearly the responsibilities of MRF operators under the legislation, and we have also provided financial support to enable the purchase of essential new equipment.”
Gary Walker, principal policy officer, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said: “By working with Zero Waste Scotland to produce this guidance, we have ensured that the new Code of Practice provides MRF operators with a clear understanding of what they can do to remain compliant. The guidance also compliments the data return forms which have been developed and will be made available for operators in late September.
“This data will be crucial in helping SEPA understand the issues that MRF operators face with contamination and the role of the whole supply chain – from collection, treatment, and onwards to end markets – in managing the quality of recycled material.”
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