WRAP Seeks to Boost Plasterboard Recycling in UK

A new capital support competition has been launched by the Waste & Resources Action Programme to encourage the increased recovery and recycling of plasterboard. WRAP is a UK-based agency.

Following positive feedback from the sector, this will be the second Plasterboard Capital Support Programme to be launched in the last 12 months. WRAP aims to increase the quantity and quality of plasterboard that is recovered and recycled from the construction and demolition sector by providing a further chance to secure financial assistance for projects in the UK.

"This Capital Support competition is designed to accelerate growth in both the infrastructure and facilities for plasterboard recycling. The immaturity of the plasterboard sector has proven to be a real barrier in the past, with limited resources to support it at all levels," said Julian Cope, WRAP’s materials project manager for plasterboard.

"However, the industry is moving forward more quickly now, with higher levels of plasterboard being diverted from landfill, and WRAP is keen to substantially broaden market opportunities for recycled plasterboard."

The Plasterboard Capital Support program is an important vehicle in further increasing diversion from landfill and reducing reliance on primary extraction. By supporting the development of innovative solutions for the efficient collection, segregation and processing of plasterboard, WRAP aims to increase the availability and volume of good quality, cost-competitive gypsum in the future.

Michelle O’Riley, WRAP Capital Grants Manager, says:

"The Plasterboard Capital Support Programme is open to anyone involved in recovering and reprocessing waste plasterboard. There is no restriction on the type of organisation that may apply for this fund and it is open to all sizes of business, from SMEs to multi-nationals," said Michell."

Projects eligible for funding under the Programme include, but are not restricted to:

• new or additional collection and bulking facilities for onward recycling;

• new or additional collection and mobile processing capacity; and

• new or additional processing and recycling facilities that produce recovered plasterboard for sale back into plasterboard manufacture, or for onward sale into markets such as agriculture, cement manufacture and clay block manufacture.

Key criteria used by the assessment panel in considering applications will include:

• overall value for money;

• the project to be fully operational by no later than March 31, 2008 (the current end date for the Plasterboard Programme);

• the applicant’s arrangements for the necessary planning consents and operational licenses; and

• the applicant’s arrangements for sourcing inputs and marketing the output products.

Those applications or proposals which most strongly meet the scope and evaluation criteria will be selected for financial support.

WRAP will offer a maximum of 30 percent of the total eligible capital costs of a project, such as plant, equipment, land and infrastructure. All applications are assessed by a panel which includes WRAP representatives together with individuals or organizations with relevant experience.

Projects must be located in the UK and be installed and fully operational by no later than March 31, 2008.

Workshop for applicants

WRAP is planning to hold a workshop during March in which potential applicants can find out more about the scope and parameters of the Plasterboard Capital Support Programme. This is intended to explain:

• the scope of the Programme;

• the type of projects for which support is available;

• how to make the most of your application; and

• the range of other support packages WRAP can offer to recycling businesses.

Full details, including the application process and assessment criteria plus information on how to reserve a place at the workshop, are available on the WRAP website www.wrap.org.uk. Alternatively, e-mail the WRAP Capital Grants team, quoting ref: PBD020, at capital.support@wrap.org.uk.

The closing date for applications to the Plasterboard Capital Grants Programme is April 30, 2007.