WOOD RECYCLING REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN UPDATED
Starting from September 1st, 2023, there will be significant changes in how the UK handles and recycles wood waste. These changes are based on extensive research and testing conducted by the Wood Recyclers’ Association (WRA) over a period of approximately five years. The new regulations identify ten types of wood recycling items, mainly sourced from structures built before 2007, as potentially hazardous materials.
As a result, specialized disposal of wood waste recycling at appropriate facilities and wood recycling centers will be required. These changes also involve the revocation of the Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) 250, which previously classified these items as non-hazardous since July 2021.
To provide clarity, wood recycling is now categorized into four distinct grades:
- Grade A: Non-hazardous
- Grade B and C: Potentially hazardous, requiring testing before disposal
- Grade D: Consistently classified as hazardous
These new regulations primarily affect the construction and demolition sectors, but they may also have implications for other industries. Skip Hire Comparison is working to comply with these updated wood recycling regulations and can provide further information on how they are adapting.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
Individuals and businesses involved in handling wood waste recycling items, such as external doors and roof timber from structures built before 2007, need to adjust to these regulatory changes. They must either arrange separate collections for hazardous waste or conduct appropriate testing to confirm the non-hazardous nature of these materials. The test results should then be communicated to wood recycling entities. It’s important to note that this adjustment applies to a relatively small portion (less than 1%, or about 4,000 tonnes) of wood waste recycling generated from construction and demolition activities. Additionally, this quantity is expected to decrease over time due to ongoing testing and the introduction of new structures. 
As for household wood waste recycling, it is currently regulated under RPS 249, which will be phased out by April 1st, 2024. The WRA is actively monitoring household wood recycling and expects the presence of hazardous components to decrease and eventually disappear. Residents are advised to stay updated with disposal guidelines by contacting their local wood recycling centres.
If you are aware that your wood waste may be hazardous or is from a structure built before 2007, please reach out to a member of our team who will be happy to assist.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US
In response to these updates, wood recycling centres, must revise their acceptance guidelines to exclude the ten categories of hazardous wood recycling. This is primarily due to the lack of infrastructure to properly manage hazardous wood waste recycling. However, they will continue to accept and process items that have been verified as non-hazardous through testing procedures. These changes promote the safe, legal, and responsible disposal of wood waste, thereby reducing the risk of environmental contamination.
At Skip Hire Comparison, we are working with our suppliers to ensure fast, safe, and efficient wood recycling.
GET IN TOUCH
For anyone seeking guidance on the new wood recycling regulations or looking for wood waste disposal services, please contact us. We are more than happy to answer any questions and remain committed to implementing environmentally friendly practices.
