United Kingdom Quality Ash Association

Press Information

Waste Framework Directive and ash as waste

The UKQAA Position Paper outlines the power industry's position over the definition of waste, which has been plaguing the industry for some 7 years. This position paper has been updated to encompass recent court decisions and the draft revision to the Waste Framework Directive currently before the Council of Europe. Click here to download Position Paper 2c - July 2007

Coal Fired Power Station Products and the classification as wastes

The UKQAA, in conjunction with the Association of Electricity Producers(AEP) and the Joint Environmental Programme (JEP) has for a number of years been disputing the Environment Agency's decision to classify many coal fired power station products as 'wastes'. For some applications, this classification results in a massive increase in costs to the contractor and client as well as increased bureaucracy and delays. The UKQAA Position Paper No 2 - Waste Regulations 02-2006 details the positions of both the power industry and that of the Environment Agency. In addition the UKQAA did publish a series of specific newsletter on the issue during 2003 and 2004. They are;

• Waste Update Newsletter No. 1
• Waste Update Newsletter No. 2
• Waste Update Newsletter No. 3

The impasse continues to this date (August 2006) but it is hopes the forthcoming EU Thematic Strategy on Waste will defined all or most coal fired power station products as by-products, alleviating this blight upon the industry.

Coal Fired Power Station Products and Dioxins

Dioxins are compounds formed during incomplete combustion. Following a TV programme regarding incinerator bottom ash and its use in building blocks, coal fired power station ash products were drawn into the debate and suspicion was cast over our materials. A press release was issued in July 2001 and subsequently updated in February 2002;

• Statement on Dioxins - February 2002

Subsequent research carried out by The University of Dundee into dioxins in a wide range of building products found no detectable levels of dioxins in both old and new building products.