Changes have been made to the Quality Protocol which determines when aggregates produced from inert waste have reached product status and are no longer regarded as waste.
The Quality Protocol (QP) for the production of aggregates from inert waste, produced jointly by the Environment Agency and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) provides an update to the original protocol published in 2004.
Key among the changes made in the revised document is a definitive list of materials to which the end of waste criteria applies which includes waste gravel, waste sand and clays, glass-based fibrous materials, glass packaging, concrete, bricks and other materials.
Also included in the revision is improved guidance on testing procedures and requirements for material and information on good practice for the transport, storage and handling of recycled aggregates.
John Barritt, special adviser for aggregates at WRAP, said: The aggregates QP has been a major success story for business resource efficiency. Early and wide take-up across the construction and demolition sectors has created quality recycled products from waste, and reduced the use of primary materials by more than 200 million tonnes. The document is now an established reference tool. At least 62% of recycled aggregates in the UK are now produced to QP criteria.
Update
The updated version has been produced to reflect improvements in industry standards and has been simplified to make it easier for producers of aggregates to ensure they are fully compliant with the end of waste criteria, and is applicable immediately in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Roger Hoare, environment and business manager for the Environment Agency, said: In revising the QP, we have worked closely with industry to ensure it is up to date with current legislation and reflects industry best practice. The updated protocol will provide greater clarity for industry and regulators, which can only help improve compliance and uptake of the criteria and the financial and environmental benefits they deliver.
QP Checker
Meanwhile, the Agency is also encouraging users of the QP to trial its online QP Checker web tool, which is designed to make it easier for operators to determine if their material meets the end of waste criteria.
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.
Commenting on the tool, John Lay, product quality director for cement and building products at Cemex, said: The QP Checker for aggregates is a very straightforward and easy to use tool. It certainly gave us a nudge and a prod in a couple of areas. If this is available to all it would certainly raise the bar and ensure compliance, to the benefit of all responsible businesses like CEMEX, and to the environment.
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