Definition and types of Recycled and Industrial By-products
The terminologies "recycled" and "industrial by-products" refer to aggregates produced from different types of source material (see specifier tool). Recycled aggregates are inorganic materials previously used in construction that are processed from a mobile plant or a dedicated recycling facility (Materials Recycling Facility). This material consists of inert waste generated by construction, demolition and excavation activities. Industrial by-products are processed materials from other industrial processes (Energy from Waste, Iron and Steel production and Coal-fired power stations) or mineral operations (coal, slate or china clay). Reclaimed Asphalt and Recycled Concrete Aggregate are examples of recycled aggregates, whereas, Blast Furnace Slag, Incinerator Bottom Ash and Colliery Spoil are examples of sources for the production by-products. To see the full list of recycled and industrial by-products including information on sources, trends and stockpiles, visit the Specifier Tool of the AggRegain website. L0363.
Supply and benefits
There is increasing demand for the use of recycled and by-product aggregates due to Government targets for recycling, increasing difficulties in identifying sites for extraction of primary aggregates that are considered by Mineral Planning Authorities to be environmentally acceptable in some parts of the country (particularly in the South East of England) and the increasing cost of primary aggregates due to the landfill tax and aggregates levy. Other drivers for using RIB are to reduce the carbon emissions and the use of high recycled content products as part of an overall drive towards more sustainable construction. A number of WRAP case studies demonstrated that significant carbon dioxide savings can be obtained from the use of RIB. Carbon savings are realised through lower transport distances for locally available RIB. RIB account for 28% of aggregates sold in Great Britain (Reference: MPA Sustainability Report 2010 L0365).
Permitting and Exemptions
RIB processing activities, expansion to current sites and change of use of existing sites require planning permission and environmental permitting. Compliance requirements vary depending on the types of waste materials or feedstock, the processes to be carried out, the source and location of materials or feedstock, and the duration of storage of waste materials or feedstock before being processed. Details of the environmental permitting requirements and procedures can be found on the Environment Agency website L0296 and the Waste Management Regulations pages of AggRegain In addition, the Planning module of the AggRegain website provides more detailed information and a flow diagram of the English Planning System.
Types of activities, links to relevant guidance, permitting requirements and the regulating authority are presented in the table below. The full list of activities and description is in Schedule 1 of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 L0296
| Activity and Example | Permitting Requirements | Regulating Authority |
| Part A1 - high risk of emissions to air, soil and water e.g. a facility as part of a quarrying or aggregate extraction development | Planning permission | Minerals and Waste Planning Authority |
| Environmental Permit | Environment Agency | |
| Part A2 - low risk of emissions to air, soil and water e.g aggregates reprocessing facility that includes washing of aggregates | Planning permission | Minerals and Waste Planning Authority |
| Environmental Permit | Local Authority | |
| Part B - emissions to air only e.g. mobile plant for Crushing and Screening |
Planning permission | Minerals and Waste Planning Authority |
| Environmental Permit | Local Authority |