Important Update: Changes in Wood Waste Regulations

Effective September 1st, 2023

The Environment Agency (EA) has officially announced the discontinuation of Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) 250, effective September 1st, 2023. This decision holds significant implications for the management of waste wood, especially within the construction and demolition (C&D) sector.

Key Changes

Previously classified as non-hazardous, certain categories of waste wood will now require a classification as ‘hazardous waste’ unless proven to be non-hazardous through comprehensive analysis. Consequently, it is essential to dispose of such wood waste at authorized facilities equipped to handle hazardous wood waste.

Background Information

Under the provisions of RPS 250, waste wood items with potential hazardous attributes from the C&D industry were categorized as non-hazardous. However, the Environment Agency made this decision following a series of extensive assessments by the Wood Recyclers Association (WRA) to determine the presence of hazardous substances in wood-based articles.

What This Means for You

The impact of these changes is that certain types of waste wood previously accepted as ‘non-hazardous waste’ will no longer be accepted in our skips. Here’s a breakdown:

  1. Accepted Wood: Wood dated from 2007 onwards can be placed in our skips.
  2. Hazardous Wood: Any external wood dated between 1950 to 2007 will be classified as hazardous and cannot be placed in our skips. This includes items such as railway sleepers, treated wood, and more.

Exception: When renovating kitchens, bathrooms, and other internal rooms, wood waste such as flooring and internal doors or staircases can be placed in our skips, even if pre-2007.

Certification: We will accept pre-2007 waste wood with proper certification demonstrating that it is non-hazardous.

Stay Informed

These regulatory changes are significant and require careful attention. Stay informed about these updates and make the necessary adjustments to your waste wood disposal practices.

For more information or to discuss specific cases, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to assist you in navigating these changes effectively.

Please call a member Of Our Team On 01704 807717, should you have any question on the above.