A tool to help materials recycling facility operators understand and comply with the latest waste legislation has been revealed.
Put together by Axion Consulting and 360 Environmental, the Compliance Assessment Tool (CART) combines the knowledge and experience of both companies to deliver a comprehensive evaluation of a MRFs compliance performance in relation to both its site operations and its suppliers.
Drawing on its experience as a plant operator in the waste industry, Axion can assess the functional aspects of a waste sorting facility to help provide a practical report listing key priorities for on-going compliance.
Independent waste management expert 360 Environmental currently provides expertise in helping companies to understand and comply with a wide range of waste legislation requirements including Duty of Care, permitting and planning issues, export requirements and producer responsibility compliance.
The CART service covers a full review of waste documentation and procedures to validate a site’s compliance performance. It also includes a full report detailing a list of critical enforcement issues and details of all non-conformities, highlighting areas of potential enforcement and commercial risk.
Axion director Keith Freegard said that site audits have demonstrated that staff are often unaware of the key requirements and have not implemented the changes necessary to remain compliant.
He added: “Changes to regulations, such as those brought about by the Waste Regulations 2011, must be incorporated into site processes as well as monitored into relation to suppliers. Legislation does not stand still and facilities must have systems in place to ensure compliance with both existing and new legislation.
“Most MRF site managers are very busy people, so taking a preventative approach to managing the risk of non-compliance in the form of a planned external audit is far more cost-effective and considerably less disruptive than being found lacking in key areas during a random agency spot-check.”
360 Environmental director Phil Conran added: “Government is moving towards better self-regulation and the adoption of improved Codes of Practice. Sites will therefore need to ensure they are fully compliant to meet expected quality standards and show they are fit for purpose.”
