BMRA publishes guidance on quality and safety within frag feed

The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA), Huntingdon, U.K.,  has published guidance regarding new acceptance criteria for bulk ferrous scrap to help ensure quality and safety throughout the supply chain.

The guidance was produced in conjunction with the BMRA board and the metal shredder operator members of its main Legislative Policy Group and aims to address potential issues with quality and safety of main fragmentizer feed, heavy melting steel (HMS) 1 and 2, OA (plate and structural scrap consisting of cut structural and plate arisings predominantly 6-millimeters thick in sizes not exceeding 1.50 meters by 0.60 meters by 0.60 meters, or 59 inches by 23.5 inches by 23.5 inches), plate and girder, 7B (heavy carbon steel turnings) as well as the main waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) grades arriving at BMRA members’ facilities.

 To better safeguard the UK’s reputation as a producer of high-quality scrap, the guidance sets exclusion criteria for hazards such as closed containers, batteries, munitions and radioactive sources. It should also help metal recyclers to meet stringent customer demands while ensuring the on-going safety of members’ staff and visitors, the BMRA says.

Recognizing the importance of quality and safety in the U.K. scrap supply chain, the following companies, all of whom are members of BMRA, have committed to adopting these acceptance criteria to the bulk ferrous scrap grades they receive:

• Chris Allsop Metal Recycling;      
• EMR;
• HKS Metals;       
• Morecambe Metals;
• Recycling Lives;
• Ripley;
• Robertson Metals Recycling;      
• S. Norton;
• Sackers;
• Sims Metal Management; and
• Ward.

James Kelly, BMRA chief executive, says, “These criteria were developed because we identified a potential threat to the U.K. scrap supply chain posed by poor quality or the inclusion of hazardous items, such as lithium-ion batteries and cylinders. It is heartening to have this guidance supported by members, and I believe it will help position the U.K. as one of the best producers of furnace-ready scrap metal.”

To learn more about the guidance or to get involved with the initiative, contact BMRA Technical Director Howard Bluck at howard.bluck@recyclemetals.org.