Sheehan Haulage and Plant Hire is offering industry support ahead of impending changes to environmental compliance and waste management protocol for the utility sector.
Street Works UK has announced the introduction of a new Material Classification Protocol, effective from 1st October. The protocol provides a structured, risk-based framework for classifying excavated waste generated from street works replacing the previously withdrawn Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) 298 and 299 with a solution tailored to the specific needs of the sector.
It heralds a significant transformation for the UK utility sector with a more rigorous, risk-oriented approach to waste classification, particularly concerning unplanned utility excavations. The new protocol brings significant new responsibilities for contractors. Sheehan Haulage and Plant Hire’s team is on hand to support them through the transition.
The key changes include having to separate excavated materials by type and hazard level at the point of excavation and throughout their processing journey. Each excavation requires increased assessment and materials must be separated into the correct European Waste Catalogue codes. A minimum of 1% of excavations must undergo laboratory analysis.
Once classified, waste must be managed according to its category and disposed of at licensed facilities. Companies must also submit quarterly reports to Street Works UK, including waste classification data and test results.
Katie Sheehan, Sales Director at the Sheehan Haulage and Plant Hire, said: “We support the new protocols that will help enhance the sustainability of street works. We’re ready to support contractors with advice and a straightforward, compliant solution that saves both time and money and ensures they remain compliant and efficient.”
Sheehan Haulage and Plant Hire operate an aggregate recycling facility at Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, which can accept excavated materials classified under the new protocol. Once tipped, contractors can collect its BS EN 13242 Highways 600 compliant recycled aggregates, allowing them to save time and reduce costs by combining disposal and collection in a single visit.
“Our service will ensure compliance and provide a comprehensive one-stop service for disposal and recycled aggregate supply,” added Katie Sheehan. “This not only delivers time and cost savings but helps reduce reliance on landfill.”
The Sheehan Group is a family-run business based that specialises in sustainable construction, recycling and civil engineering.
It saves more than 100,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste from UK landfill sites per year via its investment in CDE recycling technology.
CDE is the world’s number one wet processing equipment company for sand and aggregates, mining, C&D waste recycling and wastewater solutions.
If you would like a chat about the changes to waste management protocol and get advice, contact our team here.