PAS109 to recycle plasterboard says SEPA
18 May 2010
Between 1.1 and 1.75 million tonnes of plasterboard enters the
waste stream each year in the UK, which is not only a waste of
resources but also, potentially, an environmental problem.
Scotland's environment watchdog is hoping to encourage more
businesses to increase the amount they are recycling, by confirming
that waste plasterboard which has been processed to the correct
specification, is no longer classified as waste.
If gypsum comes into contact with biodegradable waste in
landfill, toxic and smelly hydrogen sulphide gas is produced.
However, if producers separate it for recovery and recycling, it
can then be used to replace virgin gypsum in the plasterboard,
cement and soil conditioner markets.
To promote the market for quality gypsum recycling, the Scottish
Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has taken the position that
where waste plasterboard is processed in accordance with BSI
PAS109:2008, it will no longer be regarded as waste.
The recently published BSI PAS 109:2008 "Specification for the
production of recycled gypsum from waste plasterboard" specifies
minimum requirements for the recycling process itself. It covers
the selection, receipt, handling of inputs, specification of
product grades and the storage, labeling, dispatch and traceability
of the products that are produced from that process.
BSI PAS 109:2008 compliant gypsum which has been recycled to the
correct specification and is to be used for plasterboard
manufacture, cement manufacture and as soil conditioner, will no
longer be regarded as waste by SEPA. This means the subsequent
storage, movement and use will not be subject to the requirements
of waste legislation, meaning it does not need to be transported by
a registered waste carrier or accompanied by a controlled waste
transfer note.
Kenny Boag, SEPA's Head of Waste Policy, said:
"SEPA supports the responsible processing of waste materials
into high quality products as part of achieving a Zero waste
society. SEPA's policies on the disposal and recovery of gypsum
from plasterboard will reduce pollution from landfilling and will
also facilitate the recycling of this valuable resource."
Iain Gulland, Director of Zero Waste Scotland, said:
"We are delighted that SEPA has adopted the BSI PAS 109:2008.
Scotland has a vibrant building industry and SEPA is sending strong
signal to industry that it takes the issue of construction waste
very seriously."
To take advantage of this position the local SEPA team must be
contacted and a demonstration of compliance with PAS109 must be
provided. BSI PAS 109:2008 covers the selection, receipt, handling
of inputs, specification of product grades and the storage,
labelling, dispatch and traceability of the products that are
produced from that process.
Processors and users are not obliged to comply with these terms,
but reprocessed gypsum that is not BSI PAS 109:2008 compliant will
remain classified as waste.
The full position is available under the category "regulatory
guidance" at www.sepa.org.uk/waste/waste_regulation/guidance__position_statements.aspx
Ends
Notes to editor
You can find more information on PAS 109: Specification for the
production of recycled gypsum from waste plasterboard at
www.wrap.org.uk/recycling_industry/information_by_material/plasterboard/pas109.html 