Wood Recycling Regulation Changes: How Blackpole Recycling can help

Wood Recycling Regulations Have Changed

From 1st September 2023, there will be a notable shift in the UK’s approach to handling and recycling wood waste. This change has been guided by approximately five years of meticulous research and testing conducted by the Wood Recyclers' Association (WRA). It entails identifying ten types of wood recycling items, predominantly sourced from structures built before 2007, as potential hazardous materials.

Consequently, they will require specialised disposal of wood waste recycling at appropriate facilities and wood recycling centres. This change is accompanied by the revocation of the Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) 250, which has classified these items as non-hazardous since its introduction in July 2021.

For a clearer understanding, the wood recycling is now divided into four distinct categories:

• Grade A: Non-hazardous

• Grade B and C: Potentially hazardous, necessitating testing before disposal

• Grade D: Consistently classified as hazardous

This new classification will primarily influence the construction and demolition sectors, albeit with potential implications for other industries. Blackpole Recycling in Worcester are working to comply with these new wood recycling regulations - let us tell you how.

What this means for you

Individuals and businesses handling wood waste recycling items - like external doors and roof timber from structures erected before 2007 - must adapt to this regulatory alteration. They must either organise separate collections for hazardous waste or substantiate the non-hazardous characteristics of these materials through appropriate testing, subsequently communicating the results to wood recycling entities. Notably, this adjustment impacts a relatively small portion (less than 1%, or about 4,000 tonnes) of wood waste recycling generated from construction and demolition activities. Moreover, this quantity is anticipated to diminish progressively due to continuous testing and the emergence of new structures.

Regarding household wood waste recycling, it is presently regulated under RPS 249. This policy will be phased out by 1st April 2024. In the meantime, the WRA is fervently examining household wood recycling, expecting hazardous constituents to reduce and eventually disappear. It is recommended that residents stay updated with disposal guidelines by liaising with their local wood recycling centres.

In summary, if you know that your wood may be hazardous or is pre 2007, then put it in your skip as normal but let us know so that we can dispose of it accordingly. Get in touch with a member of our team and we will be happy to advise on how we can help if you are unsure or need advice.

What this means for Blackpole Recycling

In response to these updates, wood recycling centres must amend their acceptance guidelines to exclude the ten categories of hazardous wood recycling, primarily due to the lack of infrastructure to correctly manage hazardous wood waste recycling. However, they retain the capacity to accept and process items verified as non-hazardous through testing procedures. These alterations promote the safe, lawful, and conscientious disposal of wood waste, thereby reducing the risks of environmental contamination.

At Blackpole Recycling, we have also installed our new wood shredder to ensure fast, safe, and efficient wood recycling.

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Get in touch

For anyone seeking guidance on new wood recycling regulations, or looking at recycling wood waste disposal services, contact us at Blackpole Recycling in Worcester. We will be more than happy to answer any questions as we continue to commit to more environmentally friendly practices.

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