Draft Quality Protocol For Wood

18 March 2011

The draft Quality Protocol for wood, part of the joint Environment Agency/WRAP Waste Protocols project, was issued for consultation on March 16. The Protocol aims to develop markets for recovered wood by defining the point at which the material is no longer deemed a waste.

Wood waste was considered as a possible contender for a Quality Protocol in 2006, but the project was shelved due to a lack of technical expertise and robust data at the time.

Martin Brocklehurst, head of environment and business partnerships at the Environment Agency, said: "We've worked closely with Defra, WRAP and the wood industry to bring a clear end of waste position for wood. We've based this protocol on scientific evidence that indicates this material can be safely used as a quality product. We see this as the first step towards ensuring far more of our waste wood is sustainably recovered."

Potentially two major end markets, however, are not covered by the draft Protocol -biomass for fuel and animal bedding. Martin Brocklehurst commented: "Animal bedding and biomass uses are not currently included in the draft QP. However, we're still optimistic that a solution can be found to include these end uses and I would encourage all those involved to consider what additional evidence you may be able to provide to support this work."
The draft Quality Protocol has been developed in co-operation with the Wood Recyclers' Association (WRA). Peter Butt, secretary of the WRA said:"We are obviously pleased to see that two of our industry's end uses are seen as having the potential for a QP, including panel board which remains comfortably our largest market," but he urged industry stakeholders to step forward with evidence to support Quality Protocols for biomass and animal bedding.

The consultation runs until April 27. To access the consultation documents go to:
http://qp.dialoguebydesign.net/bgo/documents.asp

Helen Amos