Government launches consultation on possible changes to regulations for the disposal of site waste

Changes to construction waste disposal regulations

The government has launched an informal consultation on possible changes to the regulations for the disposal of construction waste.

In a paper published jointly by DEFRA, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Environment Agency, comments are being sought on the rules for dealing with brick, concrete, hardcore, subsoil and other inert waste from the construction, demolition and excavation industries.

The aim of the proposals is to adopt a more proportionate and risk-based approach to the recovery and disposal of inert waste. These include:

  • The greater use of exemptions from some of the Landfill Directive controls for inert waste;
  • Revised guidance on the testing of inert wastes that are sent to landfill;
  • Tackling inconsistencies in the description of inert waste going to landfill

In the coming weeks DEFRA will be running a series of industry workshops to gain feedback on the consultation and to develop policy proposals. The closing date for responses to the consultation is 21 March 2008.

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