Revised regulations demand isolated waste process to prevent production of toxic gas

New regulations banning gypsum waste from landfill sites will take effect from tomorrow.

Any waste gypsum, which is used to manufacture plaster-based products such as plasterboard, will have to be recycled or deposited in a special cell containing no biodegradable waste within a landfill site.

Previously up to 10% of gypsum was allowed in mixed waste going to landfill sites.

Waste gypsum produces toxic hydrogen sulphide gas when mixed with biodegradable waste. The Environment Agency, which enforces the regulations, said new evidence showed the presence of even very small amounts of biodegradable material mixed with gypsum could result in the production of hydrogen sulphide.

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