Plasterboard Waste Regulation
The Legislation in brief
Under the new Environment Agency guidelines, after 1st April 2009, gypsum based products, such as plasterboard, can no longer be sent to landfill alongside biodegradable waste. Gypsum, the main raw material for plasterboard, is a sulphate and is classified as non-hazardous unless it is contaminated with a hazardous substance.
It is the responsibility (Duty of Care) of the construction or demolition site to manage all waste streams, to dispose of waste in a proper manner and to classify the content of individual waste skips.
Impact on our Industry
Recycling will become an increasingly viable alternative, both financially and environmentally, as the cost of landfill increases. Estimates are suggesting that over the next five years the cost of landfilling gypsum could increase by as much as 300%.
At this early stage, the number of sites capable of offering segregated gypsum cells are very small and widely geographically spread. The effect of the change in regulations is that suppliers, merchants, developers and contractors will need to adopt a new mind-set with regard to waste, particularly in respect of:
• Segregation of gypsum waste on site
• Additional landfill costs
• Additional labour costs
• Additional costs incurred for contaminated loads
In reaction to the changes in regulation, we would like to remind our customers of the Lafarge Wasteline service which can help customers reduce costs at the same time as improving their sustainability.
Lafarge Wasteline provides customers with the opportunity to make a real difference by offering a flexible waste removal and recycling solution.
From skips in a range of sizes, through bags and bins, to the wait and load solution, the offer can be tailor made to suit the needs of any customer who uses Lafarge Plasterboard.
Lafarge Wasteline supports its customers by providing advice and best waste management solutions that are tailor made for each project.
Because we understand every construction site is unique, a dedicated telephone service, Wasteline: 01275 377579 , is also at hand should you need advice or guidance.
The way we have structured the service recognises the fact that it is not just the largest developers and contractors that wish to build in a sustainable way or work within the regulations in a cost effective manner. As well as meeting the needs of the big schemes we wanted to make it possible even for our smallest customers to dispose of waste plasterboard in an environmentally friendly way by offering cost-effective solutions. We believe the flexibility we are offering is currently unique in the industry.
Lafarge Plasterboard waste collection services simply require the contractor to segregate board off-cuts in the bag or skip provided, or load it onto manned collection vehicles.
