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MRF Regulations: Difference between revisions

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Wastes 'similar to [[Household Waste|household waste]]' are those typically found in a [[Household Waste|household waste]] stream such as plastic bottles (typically ≤5 litres), pots, tubs and trays ([[PTT]]s) used for food packaging, flexible plastic packaging, [[Glass|glass bottles]] and jars, food tins, steel or aluminium drinks cans, [[Paper|newspapers and magazines]] and [[cardboard]] packaging<ref name="WRAP">[https://wrap.org.uk/resources/case-study/materials-recovery-facilities-mrfs-sorting-guide/ Sampling and Testing Guidance for Material Facilities] WRAP 2014</ref>.
Wastes 'similar to [[Household Waste|household waste]]' are those typically found in a [[Household Waste|household waste]] stream such as plastic bottles (typically ≤5 litres), pots, tubs and trays ([[PTT]]s) used for food packaging, flexible plastic packaging, [[Glass|glass bottles]] and jars, food tins, steel or aluminium drinks cans, [[Paper|newspapers and magazines]] and [[cardboard]] packaging<ref name="WRAP">[https://wrap.org.uk/resources/case-study/materials-recovery-facilities-mrfs-sorting-guide/ Sampling and Testing Guidance for Material Facilities] WRAP 2014</ref>.


==Material Facilities which are in scope==
==Material Facilities which are in scope<ref name="Update" />==


A facility (or part of a facility) may be classed as a MF if you:
A facility (or part of a facility) may be classed as a MF if you:
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* facilities consolidating [[waste]] material received from 2 or more suppliers into bulk outputs
* facilities consolidating [[waste]] material received from 2 or more suppliers into bulk outputs


==Material Facilities which are out of scope==
==Material Facilities which are out of scope<ref name="Update" />==


Facilites '''not likely''' to be considered MFs include:
Facilites '''not likely''' to be considered MFs include:
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* [[Material Recovery Facility|MRF]]<nowiki/>s sorting materials from [[Construction and Demolition Waste]]
* [[Material Recovery Facility|MRF]]<nowiki/>s sorting materials from [[Construction and Demolition Waste]]


==What counts as waste material ==
==What counts as waste material<ref name="Update" /> ==
The material received is likely to be considered [[waste]] under the regulations if it meets the following criteria:
The material received is likely to be considered [[waste]] under the regulations if it meets the following criteria:


* it’s from a household source or it’s from a non-household source and is similar to household waste in nature or composition
* it’s from a household source or it’s from a non-household source and is similar to [[household Waste|household waste]] in nature or composition
* it was separately collected for the primary purpose of preparing for [[reuse]] or [[Recycling|recycling]]
* it was separately collected for the primary purpose of preparing for [[reuse]] or [[Recycling|recycling]]
* it’s a single kind of material (a single stream) or multiple materials mixed together (a multiple stream)
* it’s a single kind of material (a single stream) or multiple materials mixed together (a multiple stream)
* it contains one or more material types including [[glass]], [[metal]], [[Paper & Card|paper]], [[Paper & Card|card]], [[plastic]], or fibre-based composite materials
* it contains one or more material types including [[glass]], [[metal]], [[Paper & Card|paper]], [[Paper & Card|card]], [[plastic]], or fibre-based composite materials.


==Materials to be sampled - Incoming==
== Assessing whether you are a materials facility<ref name="Update" /> ==
Incoming mixed waste material must be sampled to identify [[Target Material]], Non-Recyclable Material and [[Non-Target Material]]. The [[Target Material]] must as a minimum be separately identified by reference to [[Glass|glass]], [[Metal|metal]], [[Paper|paper]] and [[Plastic|plastic]]. Cardboard and cartons that include cardboard as a composite material should be included in the [[Paper|paper]] category.
You are probably operating a MF under the regulations if:


From 1st Oct 2016 a sample of ''Mixed Waste Material'' must be taken every 125 tonnes from each supplier.
* you receive [[waste]] material which is:
** prepared for [[Recycling|recycling]] or [[reuse]]
** includes sorting the waste material into specified output materials suppliers into commom bulked quantities.


The minimum required sample weight for ''Mixed Waste Material'' inputs is 55kg and the average weight of all samples of ''Mixed Waste Material'' in a reporting period must be 60kg or more. A full sample must be collected in one go and it is not acceptable to take smaller sample sizes at more regular intervals in order to collect a sample<ref name ="WRAP" />.
You are '''not''' a MF if:


From October 2024 this frequency will increase to 60kg for every 75 tonnes received<ref name="Update" />.
* only consolidate [[waste]] material from a single supplier into bulked outputs
* do not prepare the material for [[reuse]] or [[Recycling|recycing]]


From October 2024 the range of materials will expand to 10 to include<ref name="Update" />:
== Input sampling, measuring and recording<ref name="Update" /> ==
* [[Glass]]
As a MF receiving 1,000 tonnes or more of [[Waste|waste]] material in 12 months and you meet the criteria above (as a facility within the scope of the new regulations) then sampling, measurement and recording of information by each individual supplier must be undertaken.
* [[Metal|Aluminium]]
* [[Metal|Steel]]
* [[Paper]]
* [[Card]]
* [[Plastic|Plastic bottles]]
* [[PTT]]s
* [[Plastic|Film or other flexible plastic]]
* [[Plastic|Other plastic]]  
* Fibre based composite material.


This involves measuring and recording the following:


* the total weight in tonnes of input [[Waste|waste]] material for each supplier during each reporting period
* the name and address of the supplier (or of each supplier) for each batch of material
* the date on which the batch of material was received, from which a sample has been taken


==Materials to be sampled - Outgoing==
For '''input sampling''' the following information must be taken and recorded for '''each''' input sample:
Sampling of ''Specified Output Materials'' must be undertaken with consideration given to the grade of material output from the [[MRF|MF]]. Example grades might include clear PET bottles and green [[Glass|glass]]. The frequency of sampling is as follows<ref name="WRAP" />:


* its composition in relation to the input sampling categories
* details of each supplier from whose inputs the sample was taken
* total weight in kilograms of each sample
* date the sample was taken
* details of the sampling methodology used to take a representative sample
In addition to measuring and recording the above, you also need to report:
* the total number of samples taken for each supplier
* the total weight of all samples
=== Input sample size and frequency ===
An input sample must be taken for '''every 75 tonnes''' of incoming waste material received for '''each supplier''' in a given reporting period.
The samples must meet the following requirements:
* the minimum weight of each sample is 55kg
* the average weight of all samples taken should be at least 60kg
=== Input sampling categories ===
The composition of all the samples taken against specific categories must be measured. You must measure and record the weight of all categories identified in kilograms.
Measurement of all input samples must be undertaken to identify whether the material is:
* target material
* non-target material
* non-recyclable material
'''<u>Target material</u>''' refers to one or more kind of materials identified by  the operator of a <abbr>MF</abbr>, as destined for:
* separation from waste material received
* consolidation to produce bulk quantities of the identified material
'''<u>Non-target material</u>''' is material that may be recyclable but is not identified as a target material by the operator of the <abbr>MF</abbr>.
'''<u>Non-recyclable material</u>''' is [[Waste|waste]] material that currently cannot be viably [[Recycling|recycled]].
=== Input material types ===
There are 10 input material categories:
* [[glass]]
* [[Metal|aluminium]]
* [[Metal|steel]]
* [[Paper & Card|paper]]
* [[Paper & Card|card]]
* [[Plastic|plastic bottles]]
* [[Plastic|plastic pots, tubs and trays]]
* [[Plastic|film or other flexible]]
* [[Plastic|other plastic]]
* fibre-based composite material
Fibre-based composite material is a category of packaging material that is typically made of paperboard or paper fibres and laminated with plastic.
=== Packaging materials ===
For each category of target, non-target and non-recylcable materials the proportions of [[Packaging Waste|packaging]] items (except for [[glass]] unless its specifically required by the [[Regulatory Authorities|regulator]]) must be identified and measured. '[[Packaging Waste|Packaging]]' is any product used for containing, handling, delivering and presenting goods.
=== Drinks containers ===
For each category of target, non-target and non-recyclable materials,  drinks containers must also be seperately identified and measured, as a category of packaging.
Drinks containers include bottles and cans that:
* are made entirely or mainly from steel, aluminium or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic
* are made to hold between 50 millilitres and 3 litres of liquid
* come into direct contact with the drink inside
* are designed to be airtight and watertight when they’re supplied
* are not made for reuse or refilling
=== Additional sampling of glass packaging ===
There is no requirement to routinely measure and record whether [[glass]] in a sample is [[Packaging Waste|packaging]] or not. However, regulators can request input and output sampling of [[glass]] packaging. They will have to:
* give <abbr>MFs</abbr> at least 4 weeks notice before the start of the reporting period in which measurements will be taken
* specify the minimum number of samples you need to take for these measurements for each supplier
=== Material particles ===
Material particles in an input stream must also be seperately identified and recorded.
The following may be considered material particles in waste material:
* for material types other than glass, particles of that material measuring less than 55 millimetres along their longest dimension
* for material with a majority proportion of glass, glass particles measuring less than 13 millimetres along their longest dimension
The total weight of material particles in the sample will need to be identifed.
The composition of the material particles based on the composition of the remaining non-particle contents of the sample will also have to be calculated. This includes proportions within the non-particle contents of:
* target, non-target and non-recyclable material
* [[glass]], [[Metal|aluminium]], [[Metal|steel]], [[Paper & Card|paper]], [[Paper & Card|card]], [[plastic]], [[Plastic|plastic bottles]], [[Plastic|plastic pots, tubs and trays]], [[Plastic|film or other flexible plastic]], fibre-based composite material
* packaging materials and drinks containers
You must divide the total weight of the material particles using the non-particle content proportions recorded for that sample.
== Output measurement, recording and sampling<ref name="Update" /> ==
All outputs must be measured and recorded and includes all materals identified as target, non-target, non-recyclable and any other waste material.
The following information should be measured and recorded in each reporting period:
* the total weight in tonnes of waste material that has been identified and kept separate and will be transferred to another <abbr>MF</abbr> or person for the purpose of [[Recycling|recycling]] or [[reuse]]
* total weight in tonnes of specified output materials leaving the <abbr>MF</abbr> in the given reporting period
* the total weight in tonnes of all other material leaving the <abbr>MF</abbr> in the given reporting period
* relevant details such as name and address of the destination where all the materials are sent
* the date on which the material was sent from the facility
* total weight in tonnes and grade of specified output material (such as [[Aluminium cans|aluminium]], [[Metal|steel]], [[glass]] where appropriate) that make up the batch of specified output material
* any other identifying details of the batch of specified output material, such as batch or bale numbers where these are provided
If output sampling on specified output materials has to be undertaken then records of the following must be taken for each output sample:
* date sample was taken
* the details of the batch of specified output material each sample was taken from
* measurements of composition by the categories each sample is identified against
* details of sampling methodology used, to show how <abbr>MFs</abbr> ensure samples accurately reflect the composition of the total waste material
In addition to measuring and recording the above, you will need to report:
* the total number of samples taken for each batch of specified output material
* the total weight in kg of all samples in a reporting period
=== Frequency and size of output materials<ref name="Update" /> ===
The minimum sampling frequency and samples size for different material types are:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Sampling Frequency and Size
!Specified output material
|-
!Minimum frequency
! Material  !! Sampling frequency from 1st Oct 2016 !! Sample size (kg)!! Change from October 2024<ref name="Update" />
!Weight of sample
|-
|-
| [[Paper]] || Every 60 tonnes produced || 50 || Unchanged, but measured by grade and proportion of packaging and DRS material
|Glass
|Once for every 50 tonnes
|10kg
|-
|-
| [[Glass]] || Every 50 tonnes produced || 10 || Unchanged, but measured by grade and proportion of packaging and DRS material
|Paper and card
|Once for every 60 tonnes
|50kg
|-
|-
| [[Metal]] || Every 20 tonnes produced || 10 || Unchanged, but measured by grade and proportion of packaging and DRS material
|Metal (aluminium, steel or both)
|Once for every 20 tonnes
|10kg
|-
|-
| [[Plastic]] || Every 15 tonnes produced || 20 || Unchanged, but measured by grade and proportion of packaging and DRS material
|Plastic
|Once for every 15 tonnes
|20kg
|-
|-
|Fibre-based composites|| from October 2024 ||from October 2024 || every 60 tonnes, 50kg sample, Umeasured by grade and proportion of packaging and DRS material
|Fibre-based composites
|Once for every 60 tonnes
|50kg
|}
|}
When there are two or more materials in a specified output the frequency and size of the material that has the lowest figure in the minimum frequency column of the table should be used.
For example:
* a mixture of plastic and aluminium would need a frequency of once for every 15 tonnes, and a sample size of 20kg
* a mixture of steel and glass would need a frequency of once for every 20 tonnes, and a sample size of 10kg
=== Output sampling categories ===
As a minimum,  the grade of [[glass]], [[Aluminium cans|aluminium]], [[Metal|steel]], [[Paper & Card|paper]], [[Paper & Card|card]], [[plastic]] or fibre-based composite material making up the specified output materials produced in the <abbr>MF must be identided and recorded.</abbr>
The 'Grade' of material describes the particular material specification of that material type.
For example, you may identify different grades of the following material using physical or chemical characteristics as follows:
* grades of [[glass]] may be based on colour such as clear glass or mixed coloured glass
* grades of [[plastic]] may be based on polymers including natural high density polyethylene ([[HDPE (2)|HDPE]]) bottle, coloured [[HDPE (2)|HDPE]] bottles, or clear [[PET (1)|PET]] bottle
Each batch of specified output material must be sampled and measured to identify:
* target material
* non-target material
* non-recyclable material
The weight of all categories identified must be measured and recorded, including packaging and drink container proportions in kilograms.
=== [[Packaging Waste|Packaging]] and drinks containers ===
For each category of target, non-target and non-recyclable materials, the proportions of:
* [[Packaging Waste|packaging]] items, except for [[glass]] unless specifically required by the regulator
* drinks containers
must be measured and recorded.
=== Additional sampling of [[glass]] packaging ===
Requirements for additional sampling of glass packaging are similar to the input sampling rules. The minimum number of output samples you need to take for these measurements will be specified by the written notice from the regulator.
=== Material particles ===
Material particles must be seperately measured and recorded in the output sample, following the sampling andmesaurement rules given under the input sampling informtion above to calculate proportions.


==Sampling Planning==
==Sampling Planning==
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A review of the overall sampling approach was published in July 2023 and the approach was found to be satisfactory<ref>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-permitting-regulations-2016-material-facilities-rpc-opinion-green-rated</ref>.
A review of the overall sampling approach was published in July 2023 and the approach was found to be satisfactory<ref>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-permitting-regulations-2016-material-facilities-rpc-opinion-green-rated</ref>.
==Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements<ref name="WRAP" />==


The Regulations require reports to be submitted to the [[Regulator]] every 3 months. The four reporting periods each year are:
== Reporting<ref name="Update" /> ==
* 1 January to 31 March. Returns due by 30 April.
Reports must be submitted electronically to the [[Regulatory Authorities]] (in a form specified by them) within one month of the end of the reporting period which is:
* 1 April to 30 June. Returns due by 31 July.
 
* 1 July to 30 September. Returns due by 31 October.
*1 January to 31 March
* 1 October to 31 December. Returns due by 31 January
*1 April to 30 June
*1July - 30 September
*1 OCtober to 31 December
 
The reports shlould include all relevant information about the materials facilities’ total incoming and outgoing waste material, suppliers and destinations as well as:
 
* any samples you take for incoming and outgoing material in a reporting period, including the total number of samples taken for each supplier or each batch of specified output material
* the total weight in kg of all samples for each supplier or each batch of specified output material
* all measurements recorded as part of any input or output sampling undertaken
 
All information recorded:
 
* before 1st October 2024 should be retained for a minimum of 4 years from the date that it was first recorded
* after 1st October 2024 should be retained for a minimum of 7 years from the date that it was first recorded
 
== Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement of the regulations<ref name="Update" /> ==
The [[Environmental Permit|environmental permit]] conditions imposed by the regulations will be enforced by the [[Regulatory Authorities]].
 
[[Regulatory Authorities|Regulators]] will monitor your compliance with sampling, recording and reporting requirements through a number of compliance activities which may include:
 
* announced and unannounced audits carried out by visits to facilities, including the inspection of activities and relevant documentation
* virtual or remote audits
* desktop audits of data submissions
 
Audits will focus on:


Reports must be submitted to the [[Regulator]] electronically within one month of the end of the Reporting Period.
* how samples are taken
* whether samples are representative and follow the written methodology
* assessment of the recorded and reported data


For an incoming ''Mixed Waste Material'' the following information is required<ref name ="WRAP" />:
Audits will not consider how operators of <abbr>MFs</abbr> can improve quality specified output material produced from material separation processes.


*The total weight in tonnes of ''Mixed Waste Material'' received at the [[MRF|MF]] from each Supplier requiring sampling under the Regulations.
Additional compliance activities may be undertaken based on intelligence and outcomes of previous audits.
* The total number of samples taken for each of these Suppliers.
* The total weight in kilograms of all samples taken for each of these Suppliers.
* The Average percentage composition of target [[Glass|glass]], [[Metal|metal]], [[Paper|paper]] and [[Plastic|plastic]] in ''Mixed Waste Material'' delivered by each of these Suppliers, based on all applicable sample results.
* The Average percentage composition levels of [[Target Material]], [[Non-Target Material]] and Non-Recyclable Materials delivered by each of these Suppliers, based on all applicable sample results.
* The standard deviation of the Average percentage composition level of Target Materials for each of these Suppliers, based on all applicable sample results.


For outgoing material leaving the [[MRF|MF]] in a given Reporting Period the following infomation is required<ref name ="WRAP" />:
Audits may be combined with compliance monitoring of other [[Waste|waste]] regulations for example, [[Duty of Care]] and Transfrontier Shipments of wastes, as well as wider [[Environmental Permit|permit compliance]].


* The total weight in tonnes of each ''Specified Output Material'' that leaves the [[MRF|MF]]
The [[Regulatory Authorities|regulator]] will employ the enforcement powers available to them under the [[Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016|Environmental Permitting Regulations]] in England and Wales.
* The total weight in tonnes of ''Mixed Waste Material'' transferred to other [[MRF|MFs]] for the purposes of separating into ''Specified Output Materials'' and the destination of each [[MRF|MF]] transfer.
* The total weight in tonnes of all other waste that leaves the MRF|MF]] and details of where it has been sent.
* The total number of samples taken for each ''Specified Output Materia''l.
* The total weight in kilograms of all samples taken for each ''Specified Output Material''.
* The Average percentage of all samples by reference to grades of [[glass|glass]], [[Metal|metal]], [[Paper|paper]] and [[Plastic|plastic]]
* The Average percentage of [[Target Materials]], [[Non-Target Materials]] and Non-Recyclable materials by grades of [[Glass|glass]], [[Metal|metal]], [[Paper|paper]] or [[Plastic|plastic]] in the samples
* The standard deviation of the Average percentage composition levels for the [[Target Materials]], based on all of the applicable sample results.


==References==
==References==
<references />
<references />
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