MRF Regulations: Difference between revisions
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[[Category: Legislation & Policy]][[Category:Targets & Metrics]] | [[Category: Legislation & Policy]][[Category:Targets & Metrics]] | ||
The [[MRF Code of Practice]] (MRF CoP) | The [[MRF Regulations]], sometimes known colloquially as the [[MRF Code of Practice]] (MRF CoP), were published in February 2013 and required all [[Material Recovery Facility|material recovery facilities]] over a certain size to measure the quality of their inputs and outputs<ref name="Lets>[https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/long-awaited-mrf-code-of-practice-unveiled/ Letsrecycle], 2013</ref>. In October 2024 these regulations will be amended and the [[Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2023]] will apply which aim to place a greater onus on the frequency of sampling and the range of materials to be measured<ref name="Update">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/materials-facilities-waste-sampling-and-reporting-from-october-2024</ref>. | ||
==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
The [[MRF Code of Practice]] (MRF CoP) | The [[MRF Regulations]], sometimes known colloquially as the [[MRF Code of Practice]] (MRF CoP), were published in February 2013 and required all [[Material Recovery Facility|material recovery facilities]] over a certain size to measure the quality of their inputs and outputs. The [[MRF Regulations]] introduced a new requirement to make all results from these tests publicly available, for example to businesses buying the material as well as to [[Local Authority|Local Authorities]] and others who supply material to the MRFs <ref name="Lets" />. It did not set any minimum quality standards. A full list of sites can be found on the page [[Qualifying MRFs]]. As of October 2024 the regulations are to be amended to place a greater onus on the frequency of sampling and the range of materials to be measured<ref name="Update" />. | ||
==MRF Code== | ==MRF Code== | ||
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* sample and test the materials they receive and send out | * sample and test the materials they receive and send out | ||
*record the information | * record the information | ||
*report every 3 months to the regulator | * report every 3 months to the regulator | ||
The [[MRF Code of Practice]] applies to any facility (known as 'Qualifying [[MRF]]s') that receive over 1,000 tonnes or more of 'Mixed Waste Material' - the definition of which is [[Waste|waste]] originating from households or [[Waste|waste]] from other sources if it is similar to [[household Waste|household waste]] in terms of its nature or composition<ref name="WRAP">[https://wrap.org.uk/resources/case-study/materials-recovery-facilities-mrfs-sorting-guide/ Sampling and Testing Guidance for Material Facilities] WRAP 2014</ref>. | The [[MRF Code of Practice]] applies to any facility (known as 'Qualifying [[MRF]]s') that receive over 1,000 tonnes or more of 'Mixed Waste Material' - the definition of which is [[Waste|waste]] originating from households or [[Waste|waste]] from other sources if it is similar to [[household Waste|household waste]] in terms of its nature or composition<ref name="WRAP">[https://wrap.org.uk/resources/case-study/materials-recovery-facilities-mrfs-sorting-guide/ Sampling and Testing Guidance for Material Facilities] WRAP 2014</ref>. | ||
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==Facilities which are in scope<ref name="WRAP" />== | ==Facilities which are in scope<ref name="WRAP" />== | ||
The facilities that are | The facilities that are within the scope of the regulations include: | ||
* Material Recovery Facilities ([[MRF]]s) sorting household dry [[Recyclables|recyclables]] | * Material Recovery Facilities ([[MRF]]s) sorting household dry [[Recyclables|recyclables]] | ||
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Incoming mixed waste material must be sampled to identify [[Target Material]], Non-Recyclable Material and [[Non-Target Material]]. The [[Target Material]] must as a minimum be separately identified by reference to [[Glass|glass]], [[Metal|metal]], [[Paper|paper]] and [[Plastic|plastic]]. Cardboard and cartons that include cardboard as a composite material should be included in the [[Paper|paper]] category. | Incoming mixed waste material must be sampled to identify [[Target Material]], Non-Recyclable Material and [[Non-Target Material]]. The [[Target Material]] must as a minimum be separately identified by reference to [[Glass|glass]], [[Metal|metal]], [[Paper|paper]] and [[Plastic|plastic]]. Cardboard and cartons that include cardboard as a composite material should be included in the [[Paper|paper]] category. | ||
The minimum required sample weight for ''Mixed Waste Material'' inputs is 55kg and the average weight of all samples of ''Mixed Waste Material'' in a reporting period must be 60kg or more. A full sample must be collected in one go and it is not acceptable to take smaller sample sizes at more regular intervals in order to collect a sample<ref name ="WRAP" />. | From 1st Oct 2016 a sample of ''Mixed Waste Material'' must be taken every 125 tonnes from each supplier. | ||
The minimum required sample weight for ''Mixed Waste Material'' inputs is 55kg and the average weight of all samples of ''Mixed Waste Material'' in a reporting period must be 60kg or more. A full sample must be collected in one go and it is not acceptable to take smaller sample sizes at more regular intervals in order to collect a sample<ref name ="WRAP" />. | |||
From October 2024 this frequency will increase to 60kg for every 75 tonnes received<ref name="Update" />. | |||
From October 2024 the range of materials will expand to 10 to include<ref name="Update" />: | |||
* [[Glass]] | |||
* [[Metal|Aluminium]] | |||
* [[Metal|Steel]] | |||
* [[Paper]] | |||
* [[Card]] | |||
* [[Plastic|Plastic bottles]] | |||
* [[PTT]]s | |||
* [[Plastic|Film or other flexible plastic]] | |||
* [[Plastic|Other plastic]] | |||
* Fibre based composite material. | |||
==Materials to be sampled - Outgoing== | ==Materials to be sampled - Outgoing== | ||
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|+ Sampling Frequency and Size | |+ Sampling Frequency and Size | ||
|- | |- | ||
! Material !! Sampling frequency from 1st Oct 2016 !! Sample size (kg) | ! Material !! Sampling frequency from 1st Oct 2016 !! Sample size (kg)!! Change from October 2024<ref name="Update" /> | ||
|- | |||
| [[Paper]] || Every 60 tonnes produced || 50 || Unchanged, but measured by grade and proportion of packaging and DRS material | |||
|- | |- | ||
| [[ | | [[Glass]] || Every 50 tonnes produced || 10 || Unchanged, but measured by grade and proportion of packaging and DRS material | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[ | | [[Metal]] || Every 20 tonnes produced || 10 || Unchanged, but measured by grade and proportion of packaging and DRS material | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[ | | [[Plastic]] || Every 15 tonnes produced || 20 || Unchanged, but measured by grade and proportion of packaging and DRS material | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Fibre-based composites|| from October 2024 ||from October 2024 || every 60 tonnes, 50kg sample, Umeasured by grade and proportion of packaging and DRS material | ||
|} | |} | ||