This document discusses the environmental threat posed by ozone depleting substances (ODS) in plastic foam insulation used in buildings over the last 45 years. As these buildings reach the end of their lifespan and the foam insulation enters the waste stream, it poses problems for damage to the ozone layer and global warming. The document argues that Wales can lead the way in addressing this issue through better enforcement of legislation and developing commercial opportunities in foam recycling. Doing so would deliver environmental benefits like reducing global warming and ozone depletion, while also creating new green jobs.

1. ODS building foam – reducing the threat to
the environment and exploiting the
commercial opportunities in Wales

2. • The ozone depleting substances [ODS] in plastic
foam insulation used in buildings over the last 45
years are entering the waste stream in increasing
volumes
• This is an unrecognised environmental challenge
both in terms of damage to the ozone layer, global
warming and hazardous waste
• Wales can take a lead in terms of environmental
protection and exploiting commercial
opportunities

3. Facing up to the problem of ODS in building
insulation will deliver an environmental “treble
whammy”
• Reducing global warming
• Preventing damage to the ozone layer
• Stopping hazardous waste being land filled
At the same time it will create “green
jobs” – a clear win/win opportunity.

5. European ODS Bank Air
in 2010 Conditioning
4%
Refrigeration
6%
Construction
Foam
90%
Official EU Journal - review of Regulation 2037/2000 August 2008

6. • By 2015 emissions from ODS banks will erase
all the reductions in GWP achieved under the
Kyoto Protocol
• “Around 100,000 tonnes of ozone-depleting
substances might be in some one million tonnes
of building foam in existing buildings in the UK.”
[Hansard - Official Report, 25 June 2008; Vol. 478, c. 304W]
• According to Defra, 357 tonnes of ODS gas was
recovered from recycling 2 million refrigerators in
2006. So 100,000 tonnes of ODS in building
foams could be seen as equivalent to recycling
over 500 million refrigerators

7. The current situation
• Legislation is not being enforced
• Lack of guidance, information and enforcement by
the Environment Agency
• Enforcement “black hole”
• Hazardous waste classification if ODS is above
0.1% w/w
• Current blowing agent is pentane – hazardous
waste classification if above 2.5% w/w
• Blowing agent content of foam insulation is 4% to
15%

9. The opportunity
• The prerequisite for increased recovery of ODS
building foam is to establish a guaranteed
demolition waste stream of ODS building foam. The
demolition, waste and construction industry have to
operate under the same rules.
• A guaranteed demolition waste stream of ODS
building foam would facilitate and encourage:
1. The demolition industry to develop methods
and mechanical plant to recover ODS waste

10. 2. Reduction in the volume of waste going to land
fill
3. Business to develop new specialist recovery
and recycling capacity. The cost defined
according to the polluter/owner pays principle
in the Waste Framework Directive.
4. New products manufactured from foam waste
5. Development of specialist incineration and
energy recovery plants.

11. Thank you
Any questions?