The CEW Waste team has published a new report that will, after adoption, divert significant volumes of waste materials to minor engineering schemes consequently avoiding landfill.
A Specification for Recycled Aggregate for Minor Schemes (RAMS) builds upon a series of reports by research bodies and practitioners, covering research carried out for CEW on recycled inert aggregate across Wales.
The requirement of the specification originated from the recognition that large amounts of high quality virgin aggregates are being used as sub-base materials for minor schemes when alternative more sustainable options are available. The minor engineering schemes where recycled aggregate can be used include areas where very low traffic load is imposed e.g. car parks, cycle paths, estate roads and footpaths.
Traditionally there has been doubt and concern about the performance of the recycled alternative options to virgin stone. The RAMS specification is based on a series of research projects carried out on recycled aggregate and gives clear guidelines which will allow the highway engineer to specify recycled aggregate with confidence.
The benefits of using recycled aggregate for minor schemes will ensure considerable contribution to the landfill diversion targets quoted in the Welsh Government waste strategy Towards Zero Waste and lessen the demand on limited sources of virgin stone which should be restricted to more demanding engineering schemes.
CEW was specifically funded by Welsh Government Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund to develop this specification and CEW set up a RAMS Steering Group and worked in collaboration with Welsh Government Waste Strategy Branch to bring the findings together.
Paul Jennings, CEW Director of Construction and Demolition Waste Programme feels that there has been a need for change when it comes to minor works design. He said: “ Engineers need to recognise that when designing a footpath there really is no justification for adopting the same criteria as if they were designing the M4 motorway – get the risk in proportion.“
