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Paper sludge ash

Paper sludge ash (PSA) – the boiler ash residue left over from burning paper sludge for energy – can be used to create a number of valuable new resources. These include use as an agricultural liming agent, cement and block manufacture, a sewage sludge stabiliser and a desiccant for cattle bedding.

UK paper mills generate 125,000 tonnes of PSA annually. Currently 70 percent (or 88,000 tonnes) goes to end uses, such as brick and cement manufacturers, and the remainder is landfilled.

Despite the current economic downturn, the size of the UK paper market is growing. Expansion is planned at existing mills and two new newsprint mills are or will soon be operating, potentially significantly increasing the amount of PSA generated.

Through the Waste Protocols Project we have gathered evidence on standards the materials meet, markets they may be able to exploit, and most importantly any potential impacts on human health and the environment. The aim is to establish whether PSA can be considered to be fully recovered and used as quality resources.
We calculate that, on average, it could divert a minimum of 30,000 tonnes of ash away from landfill each year – and potentially over 45,000 tonnes.

What are the benefits?

In addition to diverting waste away from landfill, compliance with a quality protocol could save many tonnes of virgin raw material. We calculate it could avoid over 119,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions annually.

It could save businesses over £2 million each year, largely due to landfill charges, and stimulate valuable new markets.

The current status

The waste protocol for PSA has been through public consultation and is currently being reviewed before being sent to the European Technical Standards Notification Committee (TSNC).

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Get involved

If you are a producer or a potential end user of PSA, you can submit your details to wasteprotocols@environment-agency.gov.uk. We will notify you when the documents are published.

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More information

If you would like further help, please email wasteprotocols@environment-agency.gov.uk