Environmental consultants Water Research Centre (WRc)/Tolvik were commissioned by the OEP to carry out an assessment of the regulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and the demand for POPs waste treatment and available capacity.
POPs are toxic, carbon based chemicals that are mobile and persistent in the environment, bioaccumulate in food chains, and pose significant risks to human health and ecosystems. They are regulated through the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, a global treaty to protect human health and the environment by eliminating or restricting the production, use, and release of POPs. The UK has committed to substantially increase the amount of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) material being destroyed or irreversibly transformed by 2030, to make sure there are negligible emissions to the environment.
In undertaking the research, WRc/Tolvik use a combination of desk-based reviews, interviews with key stakeholders and capacity modelling to understand two key areas. Firstly, what regulatory and market controls are in place to prevent POPs being added to new products being placed on the market to minimise future POPs waste generation and secondly, what is the demand for POPs waste treatment and the available capacity, and will there be a gap by 2030.
They identify key risks and opportunities, examine the implications for governments Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 commitments in England and develop conclusions and recommendations.
Disclaimer
This report was compiled by WRc/Tolvik on behalf of the Office for Environmental Protection. The views provided in this report are those of WRc/Tolvik and do not represent the opinion or position of the OEP.