Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF) Government Perspective. Richard Pullen Head of Waste Policy and Regulation Defra

Transcription

1 Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF) Government Perspective Richard Pullen Head of Waste Policy and Regulation Defra

2 Introduction Breaking new ground - providing a regulatory framework for improving the transparency and quality of data on recyclable material processed by MRFs. 2

3 Why introduce this regulation? High quality recycling can help support growth within the industry; Maximising the economic value of waste material collected, helping a move towards a circular economy; Defra s Quality Action Plan, published in Feb 2013, set out the vision for improving the quality of recyclates; Various measures (including MRF Code of Practice) outlined to promote and increase high quality recyclable material. 3

4 Quality Action Plan MRF regulation forms part of overall drive to improve the quality of recyclate material; Other measures outlined in the QAP being considered and taken forward include: ways to increase awareness amongst householders on the importance of quality recycling; Supporting local authorities on best practice; Improving the confidence that exports of recyclates are properly used. 4

5 Brief history of the MRF regulations ESA started ball rolling with their own (voluntary) accreditation scheme (Code of Practice); Discussions between Government Departments, Ministers and industry on possible way forward ; Public consultation on draft regulatory proposal in 2013; Preference for EA to carryout inspection and compliance checks; Robust sampling regime proposed, balancing operational and economic pragmatism; Regulations laid before Parliament - 11 Feb 2014 (sampling regime applies from 1 Oct 2014) 5

6 Why are these regulations important? First regulations to provide transparency and information about quality of recyclable material produced by MRFs; Transparency of information on quality will be available to the entire industry and help the market in recyclates to grow and operate better; Information provided on quality of recyclate by MRFs, will also be used to help demonstrate compliance with separate collection requirements of revised Waste Framework Directive. 6

7 Inspection regime will be undertaken by: England Wales 7

8 Outline of inspection/reporting of data under the regulations Environment Agency to undertake one announced and unannounced inspection to all MRFs per year, to check quality assessment & reporting system; EA (& NRW) have held consultations on proposed charging regime for their MRF inspections; First quarterly sampling period begins Oct 2014 (Oct-Dec), to be reported to EA by 31 Jan 2015; Data submitted to the EA will be validated then supplied to WRAP, who will make this available on public facing web portal. 8

9 Guidance/advice to operators Defra guide document on the regulatory requirements on how to report on mixed waste sampling ( WRAP best practice guidance document available at ( Environment Agency wrote to all MRFs considered in scope, to outline what they need to do and their responsibilities. 9

10 Conclusion Regulations provide framework for improving information about and the quality of recyclable material: Supporting economic growth by maximising the value of the recycled material collected; Promoting higher income from sale of quality recyclates; Delivering confidence about reliable stream of recovered material and may encourage investment in the sector; Allowing local authorities and waste management companies to demonstrate co-mingling is capable of delivering high quality recycling. Good start but success now hinges on others. 10

11 you Thank 11