Standards
81. The evidence from WRAP brought home to us the
crucial importance of having clearly defined standards for recycled
materials in place to help determine when a material "is
not waste any more but it is a product [with] a purpose, a function
and a market value."[130]
WRAP gave evidence about their work on developing a standard for
compost, known as PAS100, and assured us that it was having a
positive impact in Northern Ireland.[131]
82. The Quarry Products Association told us of recent
progress in setting standards for recycled aggregates. However,
the Association expressed concern that the Quality Protocol for
the production of aggregates from inert waste, developed by the
Association and WRAP and recognised in England and Scotland, had
yet to receive recognition in Northern Ireland.[132]
83. In making use
of the work underway by WRAP, Northern Ireland must seek to develop
new markets for materials extracted from the waste stream by supporting
the establishment of standards which use secondary materials.
For example, the PAS100 standard can provide assurance about the
quality of compost; and the Quality Protocol is able to provide
confidence that quality aggregates can be produced from inert
wastes. The Department should consider linking recycling and composting
targets to the PAS100 standard to ensure the production of good
quality products for the market.
Animal By-Products Regulations
84. Two of the sub-regional groups highlighted problems
with the production of compost following recent legislation on
the disposal of animal by-products.[133]
The Department told us that the existing guidelines on process
standards are based on those issued by the Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for in use in England. However,
the groups were concerned that this guidance is currently entitled
'Draft Guidance', and claimed that the absence of finalised guidance
for process standards has caused problems in tenders for a regional
contract, and may affect their ability to meet recycling targets.[134]
85. We recommend
that the Department clarifies the status of existing guidance
by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs on the
production of compost following the recent Animal By-Products
Regulations. If the term 'Draft' no longer applies to the guidance,
it should be dropped. If it is the intention to develop the Guidance,
an indication of how and when this will be done should be given
to enable equipment suppliers to tender for contracts on a sound
basis.
113 Ev 111 Back
114
Q 15 Back
115
Q 159 Back
116
Q 184 Back
117
Ev 111 Back
118
"WRAP is a not-for-profit company that was created by
Government in 2000 to work with industry, the public sector and
the wider community to bring about positive change in the management
of waste in the UK by increasing recycling." (WM7) Back
119
Northern Ireland Waste Management Strategy Review Report,
Waste Management Advisory Board for Northern Ireland, June 2004
(page 29) Back
120
Ev 203 Back
121
"We feel in Northern Ireland that a two-tier system now exists
in that WRAP has extended its programme in GB a way which cannot
be accessed in Northern Ireland."
WM2 Back
122
"… the Waste Strategy commits to developing a centre
of excellence in waste management in Northern Ireland, and recent
developments within WRAP have meant that Northern Ireland is now
out of kilter with the programmes currently being rolled out in
England and Wales." WM10 Back
123
Ev 111 Back
124
QQ 21; 246 & 381 Back
125
Ev 111 Back
126
Q 378 Back
127
Q 265 Back
128
Ev 240 Back
129
Q 336 Back
130
Q 204 Back
131
QQ 204-206 Back
132
Ev 186 & Q 314 Back
133
The Animal By-Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 (SR
2003 No 494) Back
134
Q 85 Back
