Wednesday, December 31, 2025
The Environment Agency has introduced a new Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) aimed at waste wood management in England, marking a significant development for the industry. This new RPS, known as RPS 361, was published on Tuesday, December 16, and provides vital flexibility for waste wood sites affected by unplanned downtime at biomass plants, incinerators, and panel board manufacturing facilities. The Wood Recyclers’ Association (WRA) has welcomed this decision, acknowledging the successful advocacy efforts on behalf of the waste wood sector.
The introduction of RPS 361 follows months of discussions between the WRA and regulators, addressing the ongoing challenges faced by the waste wood industry. With many sites inundated with excess materials, this new RPS offers permitted waste wood sites the ability to apply for temporary permission to exceed their storage limits. This will help ensure that waste wood is not unnecessarily diverted to landfill or incineration during periods of operational disruption.
One of the key improvements in RPS 361 is the inclusion of sites storing wood destined for panel board manufacture, a change that has been widely welcomed by the WRA. Under the previous RPS, known as RPS 352, these sites were excluded from the temporary storage provisions. The WRA had long advocated for their inclusion, and this new RPS directly addresses this concern. The move is expected to alleviate some of the pressure on panel board manufacturers and other waste wood processors who have been dealing with storage issues.
Vicki Hughes, Technical Lead on the WRA Board, praised the introduction of RPS 361, highlighting its importance in the current challenging market conditions. “At what is a very difficult time for the market, this RPS provides permitted sites with an opportunity to apply for additional storage capacity. It is crucial for preventing waste wood from being sent to landfill or incineration,” Hughes stated. “We are also grateful that the Environment Agency has taken our feedback into account by including sites handling wood for panel board manufacture and addressing the ongoing challenges from the past six months.”
The new RPS comes after sustained pressure within the waste wood market, with many facilities struggling to manage the excess materials caused by operational delays and plant issues. The WRA has been in continuous communication with the Environment Agency and other regulators in the UK nations, advocating for solutions to ensure that waste wood is managed efficiently and sustainably during these challenging times.
Howard Leberman, Senior Advisor & Team Leader at the Environment Agency, addressed the WRA members during a meeting in Birmingham earlier this month. He confirmed the move to replace RPS 352 with a more targeted RPS specifically for waste wood. Leberman explained that if waste wood sites are experiencing pressures, such as those linked to incineration or panel board manufacturing, they can apply for temporary permission to exceed storage limits under the new RPS. However, sites will need to justify why they need to store more material and demonstrate how they plan to manage the increased risk. Sites must seek approval from the Environment Agency to use the RPS, detailing their contingency plans for excess storage and explaining the duration of the required storage extension.
The WRA has also committed to raising awareness of the new RPS in other parts of the UK, including Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The organisation intends to engage with regulators in these regions to explore the possibility of similar solutions, which could help address waste wood storage challenges across the entire UK.
The introduction of RPS 361 marks a significant step forward for the waste wood industry. By providing flexibility in managing excess materials, it ensures that waste wood can continue to be processed and utilised efficiently, reducing the environmental impact of sending it to landfill. Furthermore, it allows companies in the industry to better manage their operations during times of unforeseen delays, giving them the stability needed to maintain a sustainable, circular economy.
In conclusion, the new RPS 361 is a welcome development for the waste wood industry, offering much-needed support during a time of ongoing challenges. It provides the opportunity for permitted sites to apply for temporary storage extensions, ensuring that waste wood can be handled in a sustainable way. The inclusion of sites storing wood for panel board manufacture marks a significant improvement, reflecting the importance of addressing the sector’s specific needs. With continued collaboration between the WRA and regulatory bodies, the future of waste wood management looks more promising, supporting a greener, more sustainable future for the UK timber and recycling sectors.
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Tags: biomass plant storage, Regulatory Position Statement, sustainable waste wood practices, UK waste wood storage, waste wood, waste wood management, Woodworking industry updates
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