European Metal Recycling (EMR) and S. Norton (Norton), the UK’s leading scrap recycling companies, will remain operational during the COVID-19 outbreak to perform their essential roles in the handling and management of waste and metals recycling, according to statements published on their respective websites on March 25.
While Norton highlighted the “essential” status of their role in the metals recycling industry as classified by the UK government, EMR noted that “if we do not keep moving scrap metal, then there could be a build-up of materials…[which] could pose a health and safety risk”.
Both companies published temporary new operating guidelines for all bulk deliveries, to protect employees and the community from exposure risk, which took effect from close of business March 25. The most pertinent guidelines that will impact the flow of material into the yards are:
- – Scrap vehicles that require any form of depollution, inspection or the issue of a Certificate of Destruction from any source will no longer be accepted.
- – Material will only be accepted from VAT registered suppliers with existing business accounts.
- – Loads will only be accepted if the material can be tipped by the supplier’s own vehicle or if the material is contained in bins or stillages that can be offloaded by mobile plant.
- – Any manual handling of materials on site will not be permitted.