RPS 291 Update
19th September 2024
The Wood Recyclers Association (WRA) have provided an update following RPS 291 – Storing and Treating Hazardous Waste Wood.
Since September 2023 all ‘Amber Wood’ items had been deemed as potentially hazardous, resulting in producers, such as yourselves, being involved in carrying out testing on these particular wood items with the hope to rule out any hazards.
After 6 years of testing, the WRA are now confident that the amber wood items no longer need to be deemed as hazardous. The WRA have confirmed that the Environment Agency will now withdraw RPS 249 and RPS 291, and no longer require any further testing of the listed items below:
Amber items of waste wood are from buildings built between 1950 and 2006 and include:
- Roof timbers
- Tiling and cladding battens
- Timber frames and joists
Amber items are also from buildings built between 1950 and 1995 and are:
- Barge boards, fascias and soffits
- External timber cladding
- External doors
- External windows
This is a great outcome for waste producers, and waste facilities, who can continue to accept and recycle wood without the need for further testing. We would like to thank our customers for their support and co-operation through this time.
*Please note, any other potentially hazardous wood such as sleepers, pylons and telegraph poles need to continue to follow the usual testing processes or be classed as hazardous unless otherwise proven.