From next year, all businesses in England will need to adhere to stricter recycling practices to simplify recycling nationwide. The new laws are designed to improve recycling rates, simplify waste management and crack down on waste crime, supporting the new Environment Secretary, Steve Reed MP, in moving the UK toward a zero-waste circular economy.

Donald Ward, Operations Director at Ward said: “The Government missed its 2020 recycling target and so introduced a more robust Resources and Waste Strategy, which will see far reaching waste reforms throughout the waste industry.

“Simpler Recycling has been discussed for some time and will now become law in early 2025, but we are realizing that many businesses might not understand what the legislation involves and what is means for them. We’ve launched this survey to test the level of understanding, to find out what businesses already know and find ways that we can support them in preparing for changes ahead.”

The waste reforms aim to boost recycling rates, meet future recycling targets and protect the environment and provide consistency in recycling practices for homes, workplaces and schools across England. They will include introducing a streamlined approach to recycling and reduce bin complexity, introducing food waste collections and specifying a recyclables waste stream.

Businesses have until Friday 25th October to complete the survey and share their views here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WardSimplerRecycling. A report of findings will be available later in the year.

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As the UK Representative for the Shredder Committee, Donald, was invited to share insights into the UK’s Auto Shredder Residue (ASR) proposals, which will have far reaching impact on the industry in coming years.

The topic was timely, with the UK Environment Agency (EA) potentially set to implement major changes to ASR legislation for metal and vehicle recyclers as early as 2025. The legislation, expected to come into force in the next two years looks at accepted classification of residues from shredding facilities as non-hazardous and proposes waste reclassification in certain areas. This will significantly impact the UK’s vehicle waste recycling process and set a global precedent.

During the presentation, Donald highlighted the key findings from the Government’s review of metal shredder residue (MSR) in the UK, which has led to the new legislation. In 2005, the EA accepted classification of residues from shredding facilities as non-hazardous. However, recent findings identified compositional changes to shredder feedstock, sector misapplication, including WEEE residues and diversion of MSR from landfill, leading the EA to reclassify this waste as hazardous.

In the proposals, any untested MSR will be assumed hazardous, with an estimated 1.2 million tonnes affected. This has led to uncertainty regarding treatment and disposal capacity and a push towards investment in advanced sorting technology to maximise component recycling and minimise waste to landfill.

An extensive pilot study conducted by the British Metal Recycling Association (BMRA), includes the most comprehensive analysis of vehicle waste to date. Donald shared an overview of key findings and how this data has helped to inform the decision-making process, while identifying some of the wider implications for vehicle recyclers.

Donald said: “This is a critical time for the international recycling industry and an unrivalled opportunity for the UK to position itself as a global leader in end-of-life vehicle waste management.

“There is real need for investment and technological advancement to implement this important legislation to make vehicle recycling more efficient and sustainable. Ward’s investment in this technology has helped to set us apart as an industry leader, and, while there is still much work to be done around data and analysis, we look forward to supporting these changes and being at the forefront of this vital progress.”

A reply from the Environment Agency was due by the end of May 2024, but the implementation of wide-reaching the legislation remains a work in progress.

For more information on Ward’s multi-award-winning metal recycling and waste management solutions, visit: www.ward.com.

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Donald Ward, Operations Director at Derbyshire-based metal recycling and waste management specialist, Ward, has requested a further explanation from the Chancellor regarding the lack of support for businesses affected by the removal of the rebated fuel allowance.

On 17th March, Donald Ward wrote to the Right Hon, Rishi Sunak MP, the Chancellor of the Exchequer to leverage support in managing spiralling energy costs in the next budget by postponing the taxation of red diesel, or rebated fuel, for at least 12 months.

In lieu of a response, Donald Ward submitted a second letter on behalf of Ward and the many other Derbyshire-based businesses operating nationally within the metal recycling, building, construction and demolition sectors. This latest letter outlined how these businesses, which were considered ‘essential services’ during the pandemic, will now be significantly disadvantaged by this additional fuel surcharge against a backdrop of political and economic uncertainty and the ongoing situation in Ukraine.

Under the existing plans, from 1st April 2022, it will no longer be permitted to use rebated red diesel in most plant, machinery, and construction equipment. Instead, all equipment must use diesel or biofuels, on which the full rate of duty has been paid.

In the letter, Donald Ward states:

“The planned changes were, when originally announced, forecast to cost our business 70% more in operational costs with red diesel priced at 64.65 pence per litre (ppl) in December 2021, while white diesel was priced 109.91 ppl.

At the time of writing, red diesel has itself increased to 96.92 ppl, white diesel is now running at 177.3ppl and continuing to rise, as well as experiencing supply shortages.

For most of the metal recycling and construction sectors, we are completely reliant on diesel for our processing equipment, plant and machinery and lack of viable alternatives means no suitable alternatives are currently available.

Also requested in the original note was a phased approach to mitigate the impacts to business. We believe that neither of these requests have been addressed, despite raising concerns that the implementation would be disastrous for many waste and resource operators, construction and demolition businesses and result in unintended consequences impacting the environment, the wider economy and employment levels.”

The letter concludes with a further request of an explanation for the lack of support for businesses and what the Government’s plans are to help those affected.

Read the full letter here.

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As a specialist in metal recycling and waste management we trade with a number of companies around the world including within the EU. We are working closely with and taking advice from our multiple trade bodies, including the The British Metal Recycling Association (BMRA).

This week (w/c 4th January 2021) the BMRA has issued the following guidance for businesses from advice provided by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS):

With the signing of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the vast majority of traders moving goods between the UK and EU will avoid paying tariffs on that trade. However, in order to avoid paying tariffs, all traders must – from 1 January – ‘claim preference’ by way of meeting the relevant rules of origin (RoO) for their products and making a declaration to that effect.

Businesses should ensure that the following actions are carried out as soon as possible so that they are ready to use the Agreement:

• Check the rules that are applicable to their products to ensure that the products originate in either the UK or EU and can therefore be traded on preferential terms. The general rules are found in Chapter 2 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the ‘Product Specific Rules of Origin’ are contained in Annex ORIG-2. https://ec.europa.eu/info/files/eu-uk-trade-and-cooperation-agreement_en
• Consult accompanying GOV.UK guidance.
• Make sure they and their EU suppliers/customers have agreed whether a claim will be based on an exporter’s declaration or on the importer’s knowledge, informing customs agents as appropriate
• Get ready to make the appropriate statement on the commercial and customs documentation for all consignments being traded on and after 1 January.

The relevant GOV.UK guidance on claiming preference, including links to the Agreement itself and information about customs codes, can be found here. This will be supplemented shortly with longer-form guidance on RoO in the agreement.
 
Every business should consult the Agreement itself and the official guidance linked to above before acting.
 
To benefit from preferential tariffs when importing into the UK from the EU (or importing into the EU from the UK), the importer will be required to declare they hold proof that the goods comply with the rules of origin. You’ll be entitled to claim the preferential rate of duty if you have either:

• a statement on origin that the product is originating made out by the exporter
• the importer’s knowledge that the product is originating

 If you’re delaying your declarations for goods imported into the UK from the EU you only need to include the declare a proof of origin when you make your supplementary declaration.
 
A claim for preferential tariff treatment and the basis for that claim shall be included in the customs import declaration in accordance with the laws and regulations of the importing Party.
 
If using an exporter’s statement, that statement shall be made out using one of the language versions set out in ANNEX ORIG-4 of the Agreement, in an invoice or on any other commercial document that describes the originating product in sufficient detail to enable the identification of that product. The English language version is below.
 
********
 The exporter shall be responsible for providing sufficient detail to allow the identification of the originating product. A statement on origin shall be valid for 12 months from the date it was made out or for such longer period as provided by the Party of import up to a maximum of 24 months. A statement on origin may apply to:

• a single shipment of one or more products imported into a Party; or

• multiple shipments of identical products imported into a Party within the period specified in the statement on origin, which shall not exceed 12 months.

 
(Period: from___________ to __________ )
 
The exporter of the products covered by this document (Exporter Reference No … ) declares that, except where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of UK/EU [please choose] preferential origin.
 
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
(Place and date)
 
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
(Name of the exporter)
 
[In the EU the Exporter Reference Number will be the exporters Registered Exporter (REX) number.  These are allocated if the exporter is exports consignments with a total value exceeding €6000. In the UK, the Exporter Reference Number will be the Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number. If the statement on origin is completed for multiple shipments of identical originating products within the meaning of point (b) of Article ORIG.19(4) [Statement on Origin] of the Agreement, indicate the period for which the statement on origin is to apply. That period shall not exceed 12 months. Importations of the product must occur within the period indicated. If a period is not applicable, the field may be left blank.]

For the full agreement on trading with the EU you can find the English language version of the document here. 

For additional details regarding our post-Brexit position, please visit: https://www.ward.com/ward-brexit-position-statement/.

If you have direct queries about how Brexit could impact your relationship with Ward, please contact 0345 337 0000 or email enquiries@ward.com.

Thank you for your ongoing patience and support.

Team WARD

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The UK formally left the EU on 31 January 2020, following on a public vote held in June 2016. From 1st January 2021 there will be new rules for residents and businesses living in and operating in the UK. For more details visit: https://www.gov.uk/transition.

Since the decision to separate from the EU, Ward has been working closely with and taking advice from our multiple trade bodies. These include the British Metal Recycling Association (BMRA), the Wood Recyclers Association (WRA),The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), European Recycling Industries Confederation (EURIC), Textile Recycling Association and BEIS, the government department responsible for business, energy, and industrial strategy.

We have been making plans around business operations, employment, logistics and existing export arrangements where we trade materials within the UK and throughout the world. 

Employment and immigration

As a business we are responsible for ensuring the eligibility status of our workers. Everyone working directly for Ward is registered as a UK citizen with the right to work within the UK. 

We will continue with these standard HR procedures with all new applicants and provide the necessary paperwork to prove their right to work in the UK. 

Workers already living and working in the UK, originally from the EU, are able to apply for the EU Settlement scheme up to June 2021.

If applicants for eligible roles wish to move to the UK from are from overseas, a points based immigration system is now in place. For more details visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-immigration-system-what-you-need-to-know.

Transportation, vehicles and assets

Relating to drivers and transportation, we continue to work with a number of haulage and logistics partners to ensure all the necessary paperwork and permits are in place. 

All drivers are eligible with an international driving licence and we have the necessary operator licenses and relevant permits for our business activities.  

Each driver and vehicle operated directly by or on behalf of Ward has the required registration documents including:

• Vehicle security checklist
• Taco-graph records
• Insurance documents
• Trailer registration certificates

It is expected that there will be delays at ports during January 2021, we are implementing contingency plans with our partners to avoid any inconvenience in the movement of materials. 

For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transporting-goods-between-great-britain-and-the-eu-from-1-january-2021-guidance-for-hauliers. 

For new vehicles, plant, machinery and parts sourced from EU suppliers, where there are long production or lead times we have placed orders in 2019 and 2020 directly with the manufacturers. These have been negotiated with our suppliers in Europe at a fixed price within the existing tariff structure, so that we are able to store these in the UK and manage assets in advance to reduce any downtime associated with new parts and equipment being delayed or unobtainable.

EU Directives 

All existing EU directives have been transferred into UK law. Any new directive issued from January 2021 onwards will not have to be followed by law, however may be done so on a voluntary basis to assist with continuing open trade and business opportunities. 

Trading with Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

Trading between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland remains unchanged, which has no impact on Ward’s business activities. 

Free trade with no tariffs is still permitted from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, as a UK registered company.  

Trading from Great Britain to Northern Ireland may have some restrictions, depending on the risk of items being traded with the Republic of Ireland. This is not considered to affect any of the activities of Ward. 

Tariffs

With regards to metals, it has been confirmed that 0% tariffs will be applied to scrap metals and ingot across all categories, with the exception of titanium. 

Tariffs for importing titanium to the UK from the EU will be 5%.

Tariffs for importing titanium to the EU from the UK will be 4%.

For full details on tariff arrangements from 1st January 2021 visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-tariffs-from-1-january-2021.

Post Brexit Business opportunities

Ward is an independently owned, fourth generation family business. For over 80 years it has traded scrap metal and collected, processed and recycled metal and waste with the aim of reducing materials to landfill. We have plans for future growth and are open to business opportunities from clients, customers, suppliers and partners around the world to help build a sustainable future. 

For the latest information regarding Brexit and the effects on business operations, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/transition. If you have direct queries about how Brexit could impact your relationship with Ward, please contact 0345 337 0000 or email enquiries@ward.com.

Thank you for your patience and support throughout this transition period.

Team WARD

The post WARD: Brexit Position Statement appeared first on Ward Recycling.

David Ward Jnr, who heads up Ward SP said: “In the UK the construction and demolition sector is the largest single contributor of waste materials annually, responsible for generating an estimated 120 million tonnes of waste every year, that’s approximately one third of the total waste in the UK.”

As a major generator, consumer and producer of waste, the construction and demolition industry is increasingly targeted to find ways of incorporating waste management into demolition processes to meet environmental targets and contribute to improved sustainability. That’s why Ward SP provides a full-service waste management partnership with demolition clients large and small.

Currently Ward SP is removing circ 1,000 tonnes of asbestos per week from the decommissioned cooling towers at Ironbridge Power Station in Shropshire. This project is indicative of the collaborative works Ward SP undertakes on behalf of customers, local communities and the Environmental Agency.

David added: “We invest millions of pounds annually in new equipment and technology to support the needs of our demolition clients aiming to make the storage, segregation and safe removal of waste as efficient as it can be to maximise recycling capability and safely disposing of or treating any hazardous waste.”

For more information on demolition waste recycling from Ward SP visit https://www.ward.com/sectors/demolition/ or contact our team on 0345 337 0000.

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BMRA has published guidance on new acceptance criteria for bulk UK ferrous scrap.

The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) has today published guidance regarding new acceptance criteria for bulk UK ferrous scrap to help ensure quality and safety throughout the supply chain.

The Guidance has been produced in conjunction with the BMRA Board and the metal shredder operator members of its main Legislative Policy Group.  The Guidance aims to address the potential for issues to arise with quality and safety of main fragmentiser feed, HMS 1 and 2, 0A, Plate and Girder, 7B as well as the main WEEE grades arriving at BMRA members’ facilities.

To better safeguard the UK’s reputation as a producer of high-quality scrap, the Guidance sets exclusion criteria for the main hazards such as closed containers, batteries, munitions and radioactive sources. It should also help metal recyclers to meet stringent customer demands whilst ensuring the on-going safety of members’ staff and visitors.

Recognising the importance of both quality and safety in the UK scrap supply chain, the following companies, all of whom are members of BMRA, have committed to adopting these acceptance criteria to the bulk ferrous scrap grades they receive.

• Chris Allsop Metal Recycling
• EMR
• HKS Metals
• Morecambe Metals
• Recycling Lives
• Ripley
• Robertson Metals Recycling
• S. Norton
• Sackers
• Sims Metal Management
• Ward

James Kelly, Chief Executive of BMRA said: “These criteria were developed because we identified a potential threat to the UK scrap supply chain posed by poor quality or the inclusion of hazardous items such as lithium ion batteries and cylinders. It is heartening to have this Guidance supported by members and I believe it will help position the UK as one of the best producers of furnace-ready scrap metal.”

Members can access the Guidance here.

If you would like to know more about the Guidance or would like to get involved with the initiative, please contact BMRA’s Technical Director, Howard Bluck.

Howard Bluck
t. 01480455249
e. howard.bluck@recyclemetals.org

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The UK has 20,000 former landfill sites.  Almost 50 million tonnes of industrial, commercial and domestic waste is sent to landfill every year – enough to fill Wembley Stadium more than 50 times.

Now the process for waste disposal is very tightly regulated and registered providers have to keep meticulous records of what is being disposed of and where. However, this hasn’t always been the case.

No rules on rubbish dumps

For decades Britain filled large holes in the ground and discarded its waste with a “dilute and disperse” approach, having little long term consideration for the consequences.

In 1996 the government imposed a tax on waste being put into landfill. The Landfill Tax was the first recognition that increasing quantities of waste being disposed of into landfill had associated environmental impacts. Landfill tax was enforced through the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) which was created for regulating and licensing the acceptable disposal of controlled waste on land.

Living on landfill – a lasting legacy

A recent investigation by the BBC’s File on 4 has highlighted concerns from the Environment Agency that former landfill sites have left a (rather unpleasant) lasting legacy on space for new housing and coastlines.

Britain is running out of room for developing new houses, so former landfill sites offer land with potential for development, however many residents have concerns about the safety of such sites. Environmental and public health concerns have been cited in the new report, led by Prof Kate Spencer from Queen Mary University of London.

Cells from batteries, mercury and lead in soils and water systems, high concentrations of nasty chemicals have been found at sites. Some local residents have reported eggy or disinfectant type smells from nearby landfill sites and have been prevented from growing vegetables, fearing that the ground underneath their homes may not be safe.

Cleaner, greener future

Over 20 years since its introduction, the Landfill Tax still serves a single purpose – to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill sites and to encourage recycling. It has been criticised for causing an increase in fly-tipping which costs for local authorities tens of millions of pounds to address every year, however it is widely understood to be an effective means of persuading consumers and businesses to seriously consider what they do with their waste.

With modern technology and more environmentally considerate engineering methods, land used for landfill can be remediated and made safe – although it comes at a significant cost.

Trusted and approved waste management

Since the introduction of regulation and licensing by the EPA there are now over 28 permits and licences required to control the use, treatment, storage, transport and disposal of commercial, residential and industrial waste to ensure that the health and environmental impact is minimised.

As a registered waste management provider, Ward recycles well over 90% of the commercial and residential waste it collects, to avoid sending it to landfill. As part of its waste management strategies for householders and businesses, Ward re-uses or safely disposes of domestic and office waste, metal and waste products from car scrappage including engine oil, diesel and other liquids. And, from its accredited waste disposal facility Ward can treat electrical and electronic waste, hazardous materials including asbestos and large household items such as fridges, computers and cookers.

Want to leave landfill behind?

For more information about WARD’s comprehensive and cost effective waste management services call our dedicated waste management team on 0345 337 00 00 or fill in our contact form for details waste removal services in your area.

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Turning ‘fatbergs’ into eco friendly fuel – sounds like a rather stinky sci-fi film right? Actually no. A BBC report looks at how one company has taken an innovative approach to finding ways to make fatbergs into biofuel.

What is a ‘fatberg’?

Fats, oils and grease (FOG) in liquid form when disposed of incorrectly into the drainage system mix with food and other sanitary waste, then congeal and harden in the pipes.

A fatberg is a build up of a mixture of the fats, oils and grease that go down the sink from residential, restaurant and hospitality food waste which is coupled with human waste found in a sewer network. The waste combination forms pretty disgusting solid clumps and clogs up the pipes below the ground.

Turning fatbergs into fuel

Water companies spend in excess of $100million per year removing fatbergs that have led to blockages, in order to keep the sewers running. Fatbergs have to be removed, disposed of at specialist processing plants or go to landfill.

In response to this major problem, Argent Energy, is pioneering the large scale commercial production of biodiesel in the UK. It has spent six years coming up with an ingenious way to harvest fatbergs (extracting up to 30 tonnes of fatberg per week) from the 9,000 sewage treatment works in the UK. It has the potential to produce 90million litres of bio diesel annually – around 1% of the total annual engine fuel consumption.

No shortage of fatbergs

Due to domestic cooking habits worldwide, plus restaurants, cafes, hospitality and food manufacturing, there is likely to be no shortage of fatbergs in future decades.

When disposed of down kitchen sinks, toilets or drains, FOG and food waste can cause major problems in pipework and sewers, such as blockages, floods and pollution. Water UK estimates that there are approximately 366,000 sewer blockages in the UK each year, with up to 80% caused by fats, oils and grease, wipes, sanitary waste and other unflushable items.

Disposing of fats, oils and grease with Ward

Everyone needs to do their bit to reduce FOG waste and help prevent blockages in the future. The water industry has published best practice guidelines to ensure that fats, oils and grease are disposed of correctly and do not enter drains and sewers.

Industry recommendations include removal of excess fats before disposal or washing, implementation of grease traps or fat interceptors and enzyme dosing systems. The guidelines also encourage recycling cooking oil and the safe storage and removal of waste oil by specialist collectors.

Contact our Hospitality Waste team on 0345 337 0000 or fill in our contact form for a tailormade solution for storage, collection, removal and safe disposal of your fat, oil and grease waste.

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According to the chief executive of the Recycling Association, Pringles tubes and Lucozade Sport bottles are the ‘villains’ of the recycling world. Other nemeses of recycling include cleaning spray bottles, supermarkets’ black plastic food trays and whisky packaging.

In a recent interview on BBC, recycling boss, Simon Ellin named and shamed the worst offenders pf producing packing difficult to recycle. He also praised the companies that are making the greatest strides to improve the recyclability of their packaging.

Snack packaging of Pringles was singled out as one of the worst offenders due to it being the hardest to recycle. The cardboard outer tube with metal lining, metal base, foil and paper strip and plastic lid make it almost impossible to sort and recycle.

The Lucozade Sport bottle was also criticised because of it’s design. The initial plastic bottle is over-packaged in a polymer shrink wrap sleeve that means it cannot be recycled.

Although the headlines pointed the finger at a few of the ‘villains’, the wider message was much more far reaching, as Ellin explained: “We have got to ensure that the whole supply chain is involved from designers, to manufacturers, to retailers, to recyclers, to local authorities and the householder so that the products we buy can be recycled.”

The point, being cleverly made by the trade association, is that the greater the number of materials used in packaging, the harder it is for recycling processes to separate them. That’s why Ward offers a one-stop recycling service for paper, card, metal cans and food tins to help turn you into a recycling hero.

Mixed recyclables are collected from your premises and taken to our state of the art processing facility for sorting. We we aim to recycle 100% of your waste, avoiding any landfill tax.

So, if you need a one stop recycling shop to help you with your difficult, dry mixed recycling, call our dedicated waste management team on 0345 337 00 00 or fill in our contact form for details of waste removal and recycling services to suit you.

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