May 8 2007
Following an open tender launched by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) in January, Minerals Industry Research Organisation (MIRO) in Partnership with Imperial College London, has been awarded the tender to carry out a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Aggregates.
The work will cover a LCA of Aggregates produced from both primary and recycled resources, incorporating a comparison between processing options for aggregates for unbound applications, concrete and asphalt.
Leading international collaborative research and technological development facilitator, MIRO, have already demonstrated experience in managing a number of minerals industry focused projects for WRAP, DTI and the EC. In addition, the Midlands based body is currently managing two Defra funded research programmes under the Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund.
MIRO will be working in partnership with The Mining and Environmental Engineering Research Group at Imperial College London, which specialises in minerals engineering and its environmental impacts - with expertise in LCA model development. The group has a proven track record in developing and implementing a Mining LCA model in collaboration with the European industry and are currently developing an LCA model for CO2 Capture and Storage sponsored by the power generation industry.
The project will assess the relative proximity of sources of primary aggregates and recycled aggregates to the market place and disposal options for inert construction and demolition wastes in the UK.
Keith James, Environmental Advisor at WRAP, said: “The two organisations offer a thorough understanding of the aggregates industry and the application of Life Cycle Assessment to aggregate systems; this will ensure a quality of reporting on the environmental profiles of various sources of aggregates, as well as on the comparative environmental impacts of the different disposal and recovery routes.”
The partnership is due to report the findings of the LCA of aggregates project in September of this year.