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Recent Consultation on MRF Code of Practice

Albion Environmental News, Consultancy Services, Consultations, Uncategorized

The Scottish Government have released proposed amendments to the MRF Code of Practice (CoP), running from February 2024 – 19 April 2024, aiming to support the rollout of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging from 2025.

Albion has reviewed the consultation and listed some of the main changes below:

Key highlights include:

  • Expansion of CoP scope to include bulking facilities, mandating sampling and reporting for MFs handling waste from multiple suppliers.
  • Increased sampling frequency for input materials to 60kg per 75 tonnes.
  • Introduction of new materials for sampling and reporting.
  • Effective date set for October 1, 2024.
  • Mandatory retention of sampling data for seven years, with reporting obligations starting October 1, 2024.
  • Requirement for separate identification of glass as packaging.
  • Refined sampling methodology aligned with England and Wales standards.

Under input sampling and reporting:

  • More frequent sampling at once every 75 tonnes.
  • Minimum individual sample weight set at 55kg.
  • Inclusion of data on weight and type of packaging, categorized by target, non-target, and non-recyclable materials.
  • Addition of new material grades such as plastic pots/tubs/trays, plastic bottles, and fibre-based composite material.

Output sampling and reporting:

  • Applicable to facilities within the current CoP’s scope.
  • New requirement to report packaging separately.
  • Addition of fibre-based composite as a material category with specific sampling frequencies.

End destination recording and reporting:

  • Extension of obligations to newly in-scope bulking facilities.

These proposed changes aim to enhance waste management practices and align operations with evolving regulatory frameworks, urging stakeholders to provide feedback during the consultation period.

What can Albion do to help?

We are an experienced provider of Compositional Waste Analysis services to Local Authorities and Commercial Waste Companies and can assist operators undertake Waste Sampling in accordance with the CoP.

We have also developed and delivered training courses which provide information and support to MRFs which fall under the Code of Practice.

For more information or an informal chat regarding these changes please contact:

andrew@albion-environmental.co.uk

This consultation has been circulated to interested stakeholders by e-mail, Albion understand that if you wish to review the consultation in full you can contact:

producerresponsibility@gov.scot

Important Industry Updates

Albion Environmental News, Circular Economy, Consultations, Hazardous/Special Waste, Regulations

Scottish Government Updates

Single Use Plastics ban now in force in Scotland!

Officially in force from the 1st June 2022, Scotland has become the first part of the UK to implement the ban on problematic single-use plastics. Under this ban, it is now an offence for businesses in Scotland to manufacture or supply single use plastic items including:

  • single-use expanded polystyrene beverage cups;
  • single-use expanded polystyrene beverage containers;
  • single-use expanded polystyrene food containers;
  • single-use plastic cutlery;
  • single-use plastic plates; and
  • single-use plastic beverage stirrers.

For an extensive list and more details, read more from the Scottish Government here.

Incineration Capacity Limits

The Scottish Government has decided that no further planning permission for incineration facilities will be approved. In a recent update they stated, “New national planning policy will be introduced through National Planning Framework 4, which will be presented to the Scottish Parliament for approval later this year. This policy will make clear that the Scottish Government does not support the development of further municipal waste incineration capacity in Scotland, with very limited exceptions.”

Click here for more information.

Updates from Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)

Special Waste Consignment Notes

SEPA is now accepting special waste consignment notes (SWCNs) by email only. All completed notes should be sent to swcnreturns@sepa.org.uk. 

This is a step towards the digital waste tracking service which will be implemented across the UK, and also contributes to SEPA’s net-zero goals.

For full guidance on consigning special waste in Scotland, read the updated documentation here.

If you have any queries about the updates and how they may affect your business, you can get in touch with us at info@albion-environmental.co.uk.

To keep up to date with more updates, follow us on social media.

Scottish Government consultation for an Integrated Authorisation Framework

Consultations, Waste Management

The Scottish Government have published a consultation for an Integrated Authorisation Framework which would replace the existing permitting regimes Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC), Waste, etc with one single authorisation. For full details and to respond to the consultations please visit https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/sepa/integrated-authorisation-framework/ Closing Date 12 April 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

Draft PAS 110 Specification out for public consultation

Anaerobic Digestion Facility, Consultations, ,

PAS 110, Specification for whole digestate, separated liquor and separated fibre derived from the anaerobic digestion of source-segregated materials is now available for comment. To download, review and comment on the draft, please go to http://drafts.bsigroup.com/Document/Manage/52256 and register for free online (new users) and log in.

You can also download the consultation documents below:
•    Draft PAS 110 for consultation 
•    Supporting rationale for the changes 
•    Environmental regulator’s response to industry representatives proposal regarding the RBP

The closing date for consultation is 17/01/2014. Please note that only comments submitted electronically through the online Draft Review System by the date given will be accepted. Where possible, comments should be submitted by one person from your organization to ensure that no conflicting comments are submitted by members of the same organization and to avoid repetition.

REA will respond to the consultation on behalf of its members. Please send to Kiara your comments by 07/01/2014 (Tel: 07717 294793, Email: kiara@r-e-a.net).

Source: REA

H1 Environmental Risk Assessment Consultation – Environment Agency

Consultations, Environmental Risk Assessment,

The Environment Agency, is proposing to make changes to 7 of the 11 supporting annexes, within its H1 Risk Assessment Framework. The annexes contain guidance on the making of risk assessments for activities listed in the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) 2010.

The changes that are being proposed can be summarised as follows: 

  • To implement the statutory requirements of the Water Framework Directive, the Environment Agency has chosen to combine annex D and annex E. This has enabled us to present one screening methodology for all surface water discharges.
  • The purpose of annex K has been redefined to enable consideration of derogations from achievable emission limits presented within the Best Available Techniques (BAT) Conclusions document under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).
  • A point source odour screening tool into annex F has been introduced.
  • The ammonia assessment methodology in annex B has been revised.
  • Annex A has been combined with annex C to present a single approach to amenity assessment and accident risk across Predicted Environmental Concentration (EPR). The effects of climate change and the risks of flooding have also been taken into account.
  • Modifications have been made to the H1 Software Tool to demonstrate how the changes in annex D and F would be implemented. In addition, the extraction to a spreadsheet of input and output data and direct links to the EP OPRA spreadsheet have been enabled, and the annual reporting spreadsheet on substances released to the environment.

This consultation is open from 31/10/13 to 24/12/13.

To find out more and express your views please follow the link:

https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/ep/h1_1/environmental?utm_source=Email+Campaign&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=6339-306515-CIWM+News+Online+-+08%2F11%2F13

Source: Environment Agency