The Environment Agency have comissioned a project to examine the use of paper sludge (also known as paper crumble). Some of the potential uses for paper sludge include:
• As a soil improver/fertiliser/alternative to liming
• As an input to composting
• As animal bedding
The EA project will look at agricultural field trials of paper sludge to gather data on environmental performance of the material, and might be used in future to inform a "Quality Protocol" that would define the material as a product rather than a waste. If defined as a recycled product, waste controls would no longer apply to the use of this material.
The project team are looking for input from farmers who have used paper sludge/crumble to help inform their market assessment on the future use of the material over then next 10 years. Farmers who are willing to provide their input can do so by completing the appropriate section of this survey.
Completed surveys can be sent to Nicola Dunn to be forwarded to the EA project team. There is a short deadline of Tuesday 20th March for responses.
The questions for each use are:
1. What are perceived to be the main reasons for using paper sludge?
2. Are there any reasons why you would not use paper sludge?
3. Are there any specific product codes or standards that influence if/how much paper sludge you use (e.g. per ha)?
4. What are the main barriers stopping use/further use of paper sludge over the next 10 years?
5. What are / would be the main alternative materials paper sludge displaced?
6. If an end of waste criteria was developed for paper sludge meaning it was not subject to waste legislation, would this lead to more demand?
7. If an end of waste criteria was developed for paper sludge meaning it was not subject to waste legislation, would this affect its price?
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