The measures are set out in a public consultation on a draft Quality Protocol (QP) for waste wood.

The QP is part of the Waste Protocols Project, a wider joint partnership between the Environment Agency, WRAP and the industry.

The new guidelines set out how to process waste wood to a standard where it is no longer considered waste and is therefore diverted from landfill.

In this process, waste wood could be recovered to make panel board and landscape materials such as mulch, which can be used to make decorative woodchip.

Environment Agency head of environment and business partnerships, Martin Brocklehurst, said: “We’ve worked closely with Defra, WRAP and the wood industry to bring a clear end of waste position for wood.

“We’ve based this protocol on scientific evidence that indicates this material can be safely used as a quality product.

“We see this as the first step towards ensuring far more of our waste wood is sustainably recovered.”

Animal bedding and biomass uses are not currently included in the draft QP, which industry would like to see addressed.

The Wood Recyclers Association see the draft consultation, however, as an opportunity to put their views forwards on the issue.

Their secretary, Peter Butt, said: “We are very keen to achieve a QP for other end markets such as animal bedding and non-WID compliant biomass, and therefore see the QP consultation process as a massive opportunity for our industry to have their say and to come forward with the evidence that will make this happen.”

The public consultation for the draft wood QP will run until Wednesday 27 April with documents available for comment online.

You can view the consultation You can view the consultation here.

Alison Brown

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