Terminology

Acceptance Criteria
Set of procedures for accepting waste materials on site, including:

• list of types of materials accepted
• methods (e.g. tests or controls) of acceptance
• requirements arising from the Waste Management Regulations and the Duty of Care.

Aggregate for asphalt
Natural, manufactured or recycled granular material used in asphalt production. Commonly produced to single-size gradings, by passing the aggregate between two specified screens.

Aggregate for concrete
Natural, manufactured or recycled granular material used in the production of concrete. Usually graded to provide appropriate flow and compaction properties as well as compressive strength.

Aggregate for pipe bedding
Natural, manufactured or recycled granular material used for bedding of pipes, to provide a supporting surface which will not damage the pipe, membrane or other material laid above.

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
A national designation of an area of land for the purpose of conserving and enhancing natural beauty. Created through the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949, and provided further regulation and protection by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act of 2000, these areas are given protection from unsuitable development by the planning system.

Asbestos
A toxic material that was once used to make insulation and fireproofing material in construction. Because some forms of asbestos have been linked to certain lung diseases, it is no longer used in new homes. However, some older buildings may still contain asbestos, which is a hazardous (special in Scotland) waste.

Ash
The residual solid material from the combustion process in either coal fired power stations or incineration facilities.

Asphalt feedstock
Asphalt material removed from the reconstruction or rehabilitation of asphalt paved areas, process waste from asphalt plants and returned, unused asphalt. When accepting materials for recycling the provenance of the material should be checked. It is possible that materials from deep reconstruction or rehabilitation of old roads contain tar products. (These materials containing tar products may be recycled by in-situ and ex-situ cold processes in agreement with the EA, failing that they should be disposed of as hazardous/special wastes. In Scotland, please consult SEPA).

Asphalt Recycling Plant Equipment
The expression "asphalt recycling plant" covers a wide range of equipment from feed systems added onto a large fixed asphalt production plant to small mobile pieces of equipment for reheating asphalt arisings for re-use. This term may also relate to both in-situ and ex-situ cold process recycling plants utilising foamed bitumen and road planings.

Asphalt Road Planings
Material removed from the reconstruction or rehabilitation of asphalt roads by means of a planing machine. When accepting these materials the provenance of the material should be checked. It is possible that materials from deep planing of old roads contain tar products and generally should be disposed of as hazardous/special wastes and not recycled (in some situations tar bound planings may be recycled by in-situ and ex-situ cold processes in agreement with the Environment Agency. In Scotland, please consult SEPA).