Work continues to tackle waste sector fires

Cooperation between the waste industry, enforcement agencies and insurers over waste fires is improving, a report published by the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) has claimed.

The Fire Futures Forum Report on Waste Management Fires assesses the conclusions reached by the politicians, waste and recycling sector representatives and insurers that attended the London-based event in November 2013 (see letsrecycle.com story).

CFOA has stated that the findings from the event will be used to develop a joint roadmap, which it hopes will provide a consensus between sectors on how best to reduce fires at waste sites. The Waste Management Working Groups has also been set up to revise interim guidance issued by the Environment Agency in October 2013 (see letsrecycle.com story).

The report found that there was broad agreement between all parties at the event that it had become difficult for both site operators and regulators to keep pace of changes in the waste industry, which was contributing to the risk of fires.

However, CFOA noted some divergent views that the cause of waste fires was a result of increasingly stringent targets and more materials being recycled via improvements in technology while others argued the issue was one of perception, with sensationalist media reporting at odds with the numerical evidence.

Discussion

On the problem of cross-sector engagement, the report states: This issue has been one of the most widely discussed, both pre and post Forum, with commentators endorsing the requirement for increased dialogue leading onto a greater mutual understanding particularly with the insurance sector and lamenting what they see as the almost knee jerk vilification of the waste industry, in the national media, before the full facts had been established.

It is felt that in the worst case scenario this could lead to disengagement from some within the waste industry and in turn strengthen calls for a solution via legislative means.

The report goes on to reiterate the vital role of the insurance industry in fire reduction and mitigation at waste management facilities, with the CFOA looking to ensure the sector is represented on the Waste Management Working Group.

And, it warned that the short to medium-term consequences of failing to address the issue of waste fires was largely seen to be economic, as operators would struggle to obtain insurance and potentially lose their businesses.

All Forum delegates agreed that the situation required action before insurers declined to offer cover or politicians decide to enact stricter legislation on waste operators.