to read the full report - Ecolateral by Peter Jones

Evaluation of Opportunities for Converting Indigenous UK Wastes to Wastes and Energy
AEA/ED45551/Issue 1
for about 40% of overall arisings) to estimate that commercial and industrial waste arisings in the UK
would increase from 83 million tonnes in 2001 to 94 million tonnes by 2020 (based on Environment
Agency data for 1998/99). 39 This is equivalent to an average growth rate of 0.8% per annum for the
overall waste stream, which is lower than the estimated average growth rate of 1.4% determined using
the REEIO model.
It is likely that commercial and industrial waste arisings will grow at different rates, due to continuing shift
towards a service based economy and the waste minimisation activities and future increases in landfill
tax. Based on the sources above, and industry expert opinion, the subsequent predictions used here
have assumed an average growth rate of 1% per annum to estimate future arisings of commercial waste,
and 0% per annum for industrial waste as it is unlikely there will be any growth in the arisings of industrial
waste.
4.2.5 Conclusion
Commercial and Industrial wastes arise from industry, trade or business activities. Although the contents
are similar to MSW, the relative proportions of material content vary. Disposal of this waste stream is not
the responsibility of the local authority, and consequently information on arisings and disposal is limited.
However it is clear that this waste stream produces considerably more waste than MSW, totalling 82.6
million tonnes in 2003.
Information from the Environment Agency shows that most of this waste stream is disposed of to landfill,
although a significant proportion, much larger than for MSW, is recycled.
4.3 Construction and Demolition (C&D)
4.3.1 Definition
Construction and demolition waste arises largely from the demolition of buildings and structures, e.g.
residential, commercial and transport systems.
4.3.2 Composition
Such waste usually contains a high proportion of minerals – demolished brick, concrete, cement and
mortar. Minerals are not biodegradable or combustible. Two options exist for its disposal, removal to
landfill, or recycling to aggregate. A further component is a proportion of wood waste, which is readily
combustible or biodegradable over time.
Arisings of wood waste from this waste stream often go unrecorded as only material suitable for
aggregate recycling is recorded. In addition the wood waste generated is almost invariably treated in
some way, chemically or painted or otherwise contaminated, which may be classified as hazardous under
present legislation and may have to be dealt with in specially designated facilities. For more information
on this subsection, please see the later section on wood waste.
4.3.3 Current Arisings
There is little data on the amount of C&D waste arisings. This will change in years to come as the PPC
requirements mean that all sites will have to provide data on C&D waste inputs by 2012.
39 Quantification of the Potential Energy from Residuals (EfR) in the UK. Report by Oakdene Hollins for The Institution of Civil Engineers and The
Renewable Power Association, March 2005.
41