Waste Audit - Executive SummaryViridis was commissioned by Staffordshire Environmental Fund (SEF) to undertake a waste audit of the sub-region of Staffordshire and Stoke-on Trent, to determine approximate quantities of waste arising and whether, through the introduction of new businesses or technologies, significant volumes of these wastes could be diverted from landfill. The work was undertaken in collaboration with TRL Ltd. The report is presented in two parts. Part I represents the original audit scope and findings for the sub-region of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Part II represents an extension to study that extends the geographical coverage to include wastes that could be processed within Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent but which arise in adjoining areas. The scope of work described below constitutes the initial phase of a planned three-phase project, the ultimate goal of which will be to develop economically viable waste management business ventures in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. PART I This one-year project involves the execution of an audit of controlled wastes in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to determine approximate information about material sources, quantities and current locations. This report is the outcome of the project and aims to: · Review current information and identify potentially recyclable controlled wastes in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent · Provide information relating to industrial and commercial controlled wastes including producing sectors and the possible locations of waste clusters · Identify proven waste management and recycling related schemes and industries in the UK and elsewhere · Identify potential business opportunities for new reprocessing activities that would lead to an increase in reprocessing in the sub-region, and make recommendations In agreement with the Advisory Group, set up by Viridis to provide guidance on project objectives, the project did not undertake an in-depth analysis of Special Waste and non-controlled waste such as agricultural, mining and quarrying waste. The study focused mainly on Industrial and Commercial waste (I&C), Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), and Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste generation. This was because there were limited data available on uncontrolled waste and there were thought to be more reprocessing business opportunities available for the controlled wastes identified. A number of different sources and methods of data collection and analysis were required to undertake a comprehensive audit of the sub-region. The Environment Agency, Office of National Statistics, Associates in Industrial Ecology, Financial Analysis Made Easy, County and City Councils, Building Research Establishment, Linden Consulting, reprocessors, trade associations and industry all contributed data. Total controlled waste arising within the sub-region is classified according to four categories, MSW, I&C, C&D and Special Waste (although this was not broken down into sub-categories). Different sources of data were identified for the compositional breakdown of these categories. These are shown in the table overleaf. Complete data were not available on controlled waste arisings and reprocessing for the sub-region. A number of broad assumptions and factorings were made to generate the data. This provided the best estimate from the available sources of information. Data Sources
These techniques produced the following composition of waste shown below. Data were not available on waste totals and composition, number of people and businesses and location for any one year. Therefore, available data were used from 1998-2002 to compile a picture of controlled waste in the sub-region. Wherever possible the most recent data available have been used to complete this audit. Estimated total waste generated for Staffordshire including Stoke-on-Trent
The different waste analysis methods made it possible to provide the estimated composition of each of the waste types listed and these are shown in the following tables. Composition of MSW in the sub-region (2002/03)
The MSW estimates were derived using County and City Council total waste arisings and applying AiIE compositional data.
Estimates for I&C waste were made using SWMA waste totals for SIC sectors and applying Environment Agency compositional data from the Environment Agency waste benchmarking website. Composition data is not provided for the total I&C waste generation (1,630,000 tonnes). Each SIC sector generating less than 1% of the total was not broken down further due to time constraints on the project. Therefore compositional breakdown was only provided for 1,518,433 tonnes generated by the 21 largest waste producing SIC sectors. Composition of I&C waste in the sub-region (1998/2002)
Construction and Demolition waste composition (2001)
Estimates for C&D waste were made using Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) data and ONS population data to ratio regional figures to sub-region. C&D waste percentage composition, calculated from BRE information, was then applied to the sub-region waste total to provide the two tables below. No further breakdown of excavation waste was available. Excavation waste mainly consists of soil, clay and mixed C&D waste which is often used on site for landscaping, landfill engineering/restoration or as backfill of quarry voids. Demolition waste composition (2001)
Construction waste composition (2001)
Agricultural waste composition (1998)
Agricultural waste composition (1998) (continued)
Data above taken from SWMA findings. The potential recyclable waste streams, shown on the next page, were identified from the waste analysis using the following criteria: · Having proven or potential recycling capabilities; · Available in sufficient and consistent quantities; and, · Suitable as a feedstock for existing or new local industries. The main potential recyclable waste streams identified are as follows: · Paper and Card – Approximately 220,000 tonnes per annum · Mineral Waste Residues and Ceramics - Approximately 279,000 tonnes per annum · Construction and Demolition waste – Inert, Concrete and Masonry - Approximately 250,000 tonnes per annum (see note *** at the bottom of the table overleaf) · MSW - Incinerator Bottom Ash - Approximately 60,000 tonnes per annum · Plastics and Polymers - Approximately 121,000 tonnes per annum · Wood, Timber, Sawdust, Shavings and Wood Pulp - Approximately 64,000 tonnes per annum · Glass - Approximately 35,000 tonnes per annum · Biodegradable - Approximately 235,000 tonnes per annum (from I&C waste and MSW) Potential recyclable waste streams in the sub-region
* Levels of reprocessing and incineration were from several sources: Environment Agency data, data from the Waste Local Plan and estimates factored from regional totals. For MSW and C&D waste this data include all reprocessing and incineration activities. Due to data availability I&C reprocessing only includes recycling, not reuse or physical and thermal treatment. ** A large proportion of agricultural waste will be composted/ spread on land already. However a percentage of this could be used as the base load of any new composting/anaerobic digestion plants. *** C&D waste streams are estimated to be 50% recycled and 44% reused in landfill engineering, quarry backfill and on exempt sites. However the reuse is in low value applications and higher value uses may be available. This would suggest that approximately 250,000 tonnes of C&D waste may be available. **** Literature suggests that limited plastics reach the recycling sector from C&D. For this report it has been assumed to be zero. Linden Consulting Partnership conducted a survey of the existing reprocessing and recycling operations in the sub-region. The survey identified 97 major reprocessors and waste management facilities within the sub-region and gained data on the level of reprocessing for 35. The remainder were either uncontactable or did not wish to provide information. This survey provided a snapshot of actual reprocessing in the sub-region and although incomplete, confirms the level of reprocessing identified in the audit as in the correct order of magnitude. The main conclusions drawn from the survey were: · Sapphire Energy Recovery has set up an operation capable of handling all the used tyres arising in the West Midlands. · Two reprocessors of animal parts were identified in the sub-region; other sources of data had not identified this. · There were a large number of metal reprocessors, recycling large quantities, e.g. aluminium. · There is a well-developed waste management industry present in the sub-region that has additional capacity available. These experts will play an important role in the expansion of current reprocessing and the development of new business. Through TRL and Viridis’ experience within the waste management industries, potential recycling related schemes and industries in the UK and elsewhere were identified, based upon proven experience and technology. A provisional match between potential recyclable waste streams and proven waste management was established. For each potential recyclable waste stream a series of proven reprocessing options were identified. Information was provided on the application, feedstock requirements, legislation, costs etc. along with case studies on successfulness. The report also identifies the location of enterprises within each industrial and commercial sector. The assumption was that the distribution and size of enterprises has a direct relationship with the level of production of certain waste types, and their location. This document has been produced to provide information on the specific waste streams generated and in the case of I&C waste where it is generated. It may also assist developers in producing a business case when looking to fund new reprocessing business. The report highlights the best estimates for waste stream generation in the sub-region, allowing identification of the major potential waste streams and their sources. In the case of I&C waste it highlights the industries generating specific wastes and their location within postcode banding, demonstrating where clusters of wastes may be occurring. Two areas were identified where there appear to be clusters of the activity producing the waste streams containing the potentially recyclable materials. These were in the Northwest around Stoke-on-Trent and to the South/Southwest around Cannock and Tamworth. Facilities in these locations would accept waste from an area of a certain radius, depending on economics of transport, from both inside and outside the sub-region.
PART II Part II of the Comprehensive Waste Audit of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent extended the original geographical coverage of the study area to include wastes that could be processed within Staffordshire, but which could arise in adjoining areas. Part II of the study assumed that waste may travel to a point of disposal up to 50km away, before the transport costs make the disposal in that location uneconomic. Accordingly, the study concentrated on the districts and unitary authorities totally included in a radius of 50km road travel of the two cluster areas identified in Part I around Stoke-on-Trent, and Cannock and Tamworth. Road distance was defined as the linear distance between locations decreased by a factor of 1.2 to take into account the actual mileage on roads. Those local authorities partially situated within a 50km radius were not included in the study due to time constraints and the low level of confidence in the data when estimating the quantity of waste being generated from a proportion of a local authority. This methodology identified that the 18 district and unitary authorities listed below would be included in Part II of the study. The result therefore underestimates the total mass of potentially recoverable / recyclable materials available in the area. Local Authorities included (100% of the territory) in the likely area of origin of waste.
Part I of the study identified a series of potentially recyclable waste streams in the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent sub-region. Part II of the study therefore concentrated on collecting further data on these waste streams, identifying where the potentially recyclable waste streams were generated on the boundaries of the sub-region. This would then boost the business case for any potential recycling facilities within the sub-region.
Part II of the study therefore concentrated on C&I wastes, C&D waste and MSW. This part of the study did not consider special waste or agricultural waste as no key potential recyclable waste streams were identified from these sources.
Similar sources and methodologies, to those presented in Part I, were used to gather and analyse the data. Those techniques produced the following composition of wastes shown below.
Estimated total waste generated for the 18 local authorities surrounding Staffordshire including Stoke on Trent
The different waste analysis methods made it possible to provide the composition of each of the waste types listed and these are shown in the following tables. Composition of Municipal Waste from the 18 District and Unitary Authorities
Estimate of construction and demolition waste arisings from the 18 District and Unitary Authorities
Estimate of industrial and commercial waste arisings from the 18 District and Unitary Authorities
Estimate of the industrial and commercial potentially recyclable waste streams arising from the 18 District and Unitary Authorities
Potential recyclable waste streams in the 18 district and unitary authorities
Note: Due to constraints on data availability, estimates of the level of reprocessing and incineration were not calculated The quantities of potentially recyclable materials identified by Part II of the study support the conclusions and recommendations set out in Part I. In particular, that further investigations are undertaken with a view to developing proposals for Material Recycling Facilities in the Stoke-on-Trent and Cannock/Tamworth areas. This recommendation is supported by the analysis of the location of the potential recyclable waste streams on the boundaries of the sub-region. The analysis suggests there are major clusters of the activities producing the wastes in the South around the West Midlands Metropolitan Districts and Warwickshire. These are all within the 50km radius from Cannock / Tamworth.
Part I and II of this report are the outcome of the first phase of a three-phase project that will ultimately lead to the development of new reprocessor business opportunities within the sub-region. This document should provide the basis for the next phase of work by allowing the identification of specific waste streams worth further investigation. Discussions with waste generators should now begin, gathering more accurate information on material sources, quantities, locations, movement, current reuse, disposal methods, etc. This work will lead into the development of feasibility studies and business plans for the future proposed business or businesses.
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