Verification would form part of a voluntary wood industry protocol covering the recovery of wood packaging. The action comes following the government's investigation into the inappropriate issuing of packaging waste recovery notes (PRNs) in the wood sector (see letsrecycle.com story).
The Wood Recyclers' Association, the Wood Panels Industry Federation and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) are drawing up the protocol to provide a more accurate picture of how much packaging wood is in the waste stream, and how much is being recycled.
The matter was deemed important because a tonne of wood packaging – such as pallets – has a higher value than a tonne of general wood waste because PRNs can be claimed on the packaging material (for more on PRNs, see the letsrecycle.com legislation section).
Speaking to letsrecycle.com, the WRA Secretary Rick Wilcox confirmed: “The Wood Recyclers' Association is working with the wood panels industry federation on a voluntary protocol for packaging wood under the auspices of the Waste and Resources Action Programme. The protocol will mean we have a better idea of packaging wood volumes and will give more transparency and certainty to the industry with an accurate assessment of packaging wood in the UK.”
Confidence
The government's investigation led to wood packaging recovery figures for 2002 being slashed by 76,400 tonnes, although no “criminal” activities were found. Some in the recycling industry believe the investigation did not go far enough, amid fears that its outcome could be damaging to the sector. Now the industry hopes the protocol will go some way to provide confidence in UK wood packaging recovery, the Wood Panel Industries Federation (WPIF) believes.
Alistair Kerr, the WPIF director general, said: “There has been some criticism of the figures, and we want to make sure we are able to address any criticism. We think that what we're doing will give the market confidence, which will help with PRN prices.
“It's also about raising quality. It will help standardise procedures in that are. There are already quality control procedures in the industry, but this will standardise it, and will help all suppliers know what is expected. Ultimately there is an obligation to report accurately here,” he added.
Verification
The protocol could mean a new system of third party verification within the sector to add another regulatory level to the wood PRN audit trail.
Mr Kerr explained: “Third party verification will mean someone else looking over the process. There has to be an audit trail that can be followed. It's important that there is a complete audit trail with an independent third party who can make checks over and above those carried out by the regulators.”
The protocol is still at an early stage, but first drafts have gone out to DEFRA and the regulatory agencies, and they have shown initial support for the action being taken by the wood recovery sector.
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