Firms needs to be more vigilant on wood recycling law change – expert

Recycling and waste management firm Willshee’s has reacted to new Environment Agency legislation on waste wood.

As of 1 September, it is against the law to attempt to recycle wood that falls under new Environment Agency legislation which categorises 10 existing types of waste wood as now being potentially hazardous - unless it has been proven safe via testing.

These items must now be kept separate from other wood waste and include wooden building materials used on houses before 2007 such as external joinery (wooden windows and conservatories, for example), external doors, roof timber and timber frames and joists. More details are available on the Willshee's website.

Dean Willshee (pictured), managing director of Willshee’s Waste & Recycling, said: “Following this change in the law, if you work in construction and demolition and handle your own wood waste, you will need to be much more vigilant about what types of wood waste you are producing and where it ends up.

“Certain classifications of wood which could have previously been recycled will now be classified as Grade D, i.e. hazardous, and must be disposed of accordingly by a licensed operator and following much more stringent, mandatory guidelines.

“It is the responsibility of the waste generator (a builder’s customer, for example) to determine the age of the building from which waste wood has been generated.

“We have a long, strong track record in dealing with hazardous waste and provide a very detailed, compliant audit trail – supported by all the necessary documentation.

“A number of customers are already benefitting from our highly qualified team of experts who are helping them take on board the new requirements into their respective businesses.”

Willshee’s has a dedicated, specialist team for dealing with hazardous waste to give customers complete peace of mind that their wood refuse is being dealt with professionally and with a compliant, transparent audit trail.

To discuss the implications of the legislative changes and/or find out more about Willshee’s specialist hazardous waste services, get in touch with sales@willshees.co.uk or call 01283 702 340.