Wood sampling for recycling is a legal requirement from September 1st 2023
The Environment Agency (EA) has officially announced the discontinuation of Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) 250, effective from the 1st of September 2023. This resolution will bring about alterations in the regulations governing the management of waste wood within the construction and demolition (C&D) sector.
RPS 250 currently permits the transportation and processing of potentially dangerous waste wood items from the C&D industry as non-hazardous. Nevertheless, following thorough assessments conducted by the Wood Recyclers Association (WRA) to assess the presence of hazardous waste elements in wooden items, the EA has opted to retract RPS 250, commencing on the 1st of September 2023.
Consequently, specific categories of waste wood that were previously destined for wood recycling will now be categorised as hazardous waste unless subjected to analysis demonstrating their non-hazardous characteristics. These materials will then need to be disposed of in compliance with the requisite permits at a suitable facility.
Hazardous Wood List (Grade D)
Roof Timbers
Roof Timbers
Railway Sleepers
Telephone Poles
Trailer Beds
Engineering (e.g. Docks)
Waste from hydraulic
Potentially Hazardous Wood List
(from pre-2007
structures):
Roof Timbers
External joinery
Barge boards, fascias & Soffits
Telephone Poles
External Doors
Trailer Beds
These items will no longer be eligible for dispatch to wood recycling facilities unless they undergo testing to confirm their non-hazardous nature. Waste wood items deemed hazardous or potentially hazardous, originating from structures constructed prior to 2007 or falling under the classification of Grade D wood waste, will necessitate segregation and labelling as hazardous waste.
