Feb 10 2006
Lord Rooker, Environment Minister for Northern Ireland, has welcomed the launch of a Northern Ireland Quality Protocol for the production of recovered aggregates from inert waste, published by WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme).
This document will encourage and increase the use of recovered aggregates and as a consequence, will reduce the need for - and the environmental impact of - new aggregate extraction," said Lord Rooker.
"In the drive for sustainable development, we need to minimise the use of virgin materials. Setting a standard for the production of recovered aggregates will give buyers and users confidence that such materials will meet their needs perfectly well and give them the satisfaction of knowing they are doing their bit to prevent such waste going to landfill."
The publication follows detailed discussion between a number of Northern Ireland stakeholders, including WRAP, the Quarry Products Association, the Department of the Environment (DOENI) and the Central Procurement Directorate and the Government Construction Clients Group. The Quality Protocol will provide clarity and consistency in the production of aggregates from inert waste materials in Northern Ireland and mirrors similar successful documents already published by WRAP for England/Wales and Scotland.
Commenting on the significance of government support for the Protocol, Gordon Best, Regional Director for Quarry Products Association (NI), said: "This endorsement of the quality protocol in Northern Ireland by DOENI and other government departments will greatly promote the development of a recycled aggregates industry in the province.
"Secondly, it allows the quarry industry, in partnership with a number of government departments, to play an important role in reducing the greatest waste stream going to landfill, at a time when we are rapidly running out of landfill space."
WRAP's Chief Executive Jennie Price added:
"With the launch of this latest Quality Protocol for Northern Ireland, all those involved in the production and use of sustainable aggregates across the UK can now be confident and clear about the point at which this inert waste can be considered to be fully recovered. This will improve confidence and help to build healthy markets in the future."