Avison Young approached WRM to conduct a review of waste stockpiles at a site managed under receivership within the West Yorkshire area. The site contained two separate stockpiles of waste and the client was unable to identify what the waste comprised of or how to remove and dispose of the waste. Avison Young therefore appointed WRM to undertake a detailed assessment of the composition and character of the stockpiled waste, and to provide a management plan of suitable treatment routes.
key objective of this project was to quickly identify the waste material and to understand the liability presented by the stockpiles. WRM’s combined technical understanding, awareness of legislation and classification procedures, and market knowledge was fundamental in meeting this objective.
HOW WRM PROVIDED SUPPORT
Overview
WRM visited the site to perform a visual volumetric estimation of the stockpiled waste. Samples of the waste were also taken for laboratory analysis. WRM then conducted a review of the planning and permitting history of the site to understand previous land use, and potential sources of the waste. WRM analysed the range of data sources and used WM3 to assign an EWC code to the waste, and to identify a range of suitable waste management options.
Site Visit and Sampling
WRM visited the site to visually inspect the stockpiled waste enabling a volumetric assessment to be undertaken, along with initial visual observations on the composition and character of the waste piles. A 2kg sample of each waste stockpile was taken in line with a representative sampling methodology. Samples were analysed at a UKAS accredited laboratory to determine chemical composition of the waste and to confirm the presence of any hazardous materials such as asbestos.
Waste Classification and Assessment
Correctly classifying the waste was a key objective for the work, and WRM utilised the WM3 Guidance on the classification and assessment of waste and applied the required 7 step assessment process to the site observations and laboratory analysis. The output of this structured assessment provided a justified basis to assign an appropriate EWC code from the List of Wastes (LoW). This process identified the piles as being a non-hazardous mixture of wastes from mechanical processing.
Market Engagement & Removal Options
Having allocated an EWC code, WRM approached a selection of suitably qualified waste management companies to obtain quotes for the removal and disposal of the stockpiled material. Upon receipt of these prices, WRM evaluated and scrutinised the offers to ensure they were robust and comprehensive. The removal and disposal costs were then reported to Avison Young, thereby quantifying the liability presented by the piles on the site. Understanding the financial risk, enabled the Avison Young case manager to factor in the costs to the onward management of the site.