The operation of qualifying materials recovery facilities (MRFs) in England is governed by the MRF code of practice (MRF CoP), which mandates certain sampling and testing practices for the mixed wastes being processed by the MRF. The results of this testing are required to be reported to the system regulator and are then made publicly available in a register. The MRF CoP is critically examined and certain aspects of the testing methodology are shown to be invalid, resulting in inaccurate information being included in the register. The current investigation looks at the extent of these inaccuracies and shows how they have very real financial implications for commercial operators of MRFs, especially where ‘shared basket’ contracts have been entered into, typically with local authorities.

英格兰合格材料回收设施 (MRF) 的运营受 MRF 操作规范 (MRF CoP) 的约束，该规范要求对 MRF 处理的混合废物进行某些抽样和测试实践。该测试的结果需要向系统监管机构报告，然后在登记册中公开。MRF CoP 经过严格检查，测试方法的某些方面被证明是无效的，导致登记册中包含不准确的信息。目前的调查着眼于这些不准确的程度，并显示它们如何对 MRF 的商业运营商产生非常实际的财务影响，特别是在通常与地方当局签订“共享篮子”合同的情况下。