A fair CoP? MRF sampling, testing and reporting: Big problems caused by small particles. Part 2: Operational realities and financial implications

Abstract

The operation of qualifying materials recovery facilities (MRFs) in England is governed by the MRF code of practice (MRF CoP), which mandates certain sampling and testing practices for the mixed wastes being processed by the MRF. The results of this testing are required to be reported to the system regulator and are then made publicly available in a register. The MRF CoP is critically examined and certain aspects of the testing methodology are shown to be invalid, resulting in inaccurate information being included in the register. The current investigation looks at the extent of these inaccuracies and shows how they have very real financial implications for commercial operators of MRFs, especially where ‘shared basket’ contracts have been entered into, typically with local authorities.

A Review of Recent Trends to Increase the Share of Post-Consumer Packaging Waste to Recycling in Europe

“…Of the 14 articles selected, one was at country level, six investigated MRFs as part of the MSW management system of a city or region, six were on plant level only, and one was at the level of a paper factory that received waste paper from different MRFs. Four studies were related to the UK (Kirk & Mokaddam, 2021a, 2021bMiranda et al, 2013;Wang et al, 2020) and Spain (Ip et al, 2018;Istrate, Medina-Martos, et al, 2021;Miranda et al, 2013), and three to Italy (Ardolino et al, 2017;Gadaleta et al, 2020;Mastellone et al, 2017). One study each was on Portugal, Germany, Austria and without any reference (Cimpan et al, 2016;Dias et al, 2014;Griffiths et al, 2010;Warrings & Fellner, 2021).…”