Cl:aire the definition of waste development industry code of practice
Contaminated Land: Applications in the Real Environment (CL:AIRE) together with the Environment Agency (EA) have produced a Development Industry Code of Practice applicable to both uncontaminated and contaminated excavated materials from development sites. All materials must have originated from the site where they are to used without or after on site treatment. In some circumstances the materials can be removed from site for treatment as waste and returned as being fully recovered i.e. not waste.
The benefits referred to include;
1) Defines when waste ceases to be waste
2) Re-use of on–site materials without an Environmental Permit/exemption avoiding surrender issues associated with permits.
3) Saves time and money.
4) Prevention of disposal of usable materials to landfill
5) Reduces cost of imported materials
6) No volume restrictions The aim of the Code of Practice is to assist the development industry in making assessments as to whether materials are to be classified as waste or not, and in determining when treated waste can cease to be waste for a particular use. It is voluntary. The system relies heavily on the production of a Materials Management Plan (MMP) which has to be approved by the Environment Agency prior to any site excavation work commencing. The MMP describes all the ground materials in terms of its contamination and geophysical characteristics. The internal use of materials has to be the subject of a risk assessment to ensure the prevention of harm to human health and the pollution of controlled waters. The destiny of the material has to be exactly described, eg remain in situ on the site, to be removed elsewhere on site with or without treatment, or whether it is to be removed from site for disposal/treatment. A materials balance for all ground materials is required. The use of any material on the site must be in accordance with the planning permission. Any “additional” screen mounding or land raising for example would be seen by the Environment Agency as disposal and could lead to prosecution. In other words the MMP is a statement of certainty; it cannot be deviated from unless the changes are approved by the Environment Agency, prior to the changes being implemented. The production of a an MMP is the responsibility of a Qualified Person who is also responsible for producing a Verification Report. The Qualified Person must, demonstrably, be independent of the day to day management of the site. The movement of all materials within the site and those leaving the site for whatever purpose must be fully documented to ensure that there is an auditable paper trail for the latter. For more information on the role of the Qualified Person, the required qualifications, the Verification Report and the Code of Practice contact our Waste Management and Contamination Associate Dr. Jim Kitchin or go to http://www.claire.co.uk
|
