Current R&D Projects – Further Information
Scottish Research & Development Group
This new forum will provide a national framework for waste research and development in Scotland, with representatives from all major stakeholders. Rather than commission R&D, it will provide a coordinated approach by developing priorities for R&D in Scotland too. The first meeting of the forum will be summer/autumn 2005.
Review of best practicable environmental option (BPEO) guidance
Best Practicable Environmental Option - Decision Making Guidance was issued in 2000. New guidance is being produced to:
- Reflect the change in emphasis from the development of Area Waste Plans to the reviewing of existing plans
- Take into account the lessons learnt and feedback received on the 2000 guidance.
Revised guidance for use with the 2000 document will be available in May 2005. A single integrated document will be published in late 2005.
Effect of biowaste regulation on Waste Strategy Area targets
New legislation introduced between 2004 and 2006 will affect the treatment and disposal of organic waste in Scotland. It includes:
- Regulations implementing the Landfill Directive in Scotland
- Animal By-Products Regulations
- Changes to the Waste Management Regulations.
Research during 2005 will assess the impact of the new rules on Waste Strategy Area targets.
Biowaste management strategy
Biowaste is the organic part of waste (e.g. garden waste, wood, paper, oil, etc). and accounts for approximately 63% of waste currently being produced in Scotland. In 2005, the Scottish Executive will impose strict targets on how much biowaste local authorities will be allowed to dispose of to landfill.
Biowaste is generated from a variety of agriculture, domestic, industrial and commercial activities. Each sector has very different requirements and pressures. The research aims to explore how these can be integrated into an overall biowaste management strategy for Scotland
Market capacity research for organic waste treatment outputs
The setting of targets for recycling and composting in the National Waste Plan and Area Waste Plans makes it essential to ensure that there are sufficient markets for recycled materials.
This joint research by SEPA and the Scottish Executive is being funded by the Executive.
Life cycle analysis
A new software tool to replace WISARD (Waste Integrated Systems Assessment for Recovery and Disposal) has been commissioned. WISARD was developed by SEPA in partnership with the Environment Agency to assess the environmental impacts from waste management and thus allow different systems to be compared. WISARD uses life cycle assessment (LCA) techniques to calculate potential releases to air, water and land, and to quantify potential resource and energy use during all phases of the life cycle of a product or service.
The new tool will build on the successful elements of WISARD and rectify its problems. It will be much more flexible than WISARD and applicable across the UK without modification. The current launch date for the software is September 2005.
Best practicable environmental option (BPEO) for construction and demolition (C&D) waste
The aim of this project is to produce a tool that can be used by local authorities and contractors on-site to make informed decisions on BPEO for the management of C&D waste. The tool will use life cycle analysis to assess the potential environmental impacts of the waste. The tool is due for release in October 2005.
Use of recycled aggregates in concrete
The project aims to:
- Overcome barriers and concerns that restricts the specification and use of recycled aggregates in concrete
- Develop appropriate tests for establishing the quality and performance of recycled aggregate
- Develop a method for classifying recycled aggregates for use in concrete by performance
- Develop recycled aggregate specifications for appropriate concrete applications.
The project is due for completion in late 2006.
