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The accuracy of weighbridges at landfill and recycling centres is ‘still a matter of concern’ despite some improvement over the last year, according to a new report.

The National Measurement Office (NMO)’s Weighbridge Project report covering the 2011-2012 financial year found that 25 weighbridges – 16.9% – were outside the legal tolerance of accuracy, compared to the previous year’s findings of around 25.5%.

The legal tolerance of accuracy for weighbridges is stipulated in the Non-Automatic Weighing Instrument Regulations 2000.

Weighbridges are large scales used in the waste industry to weigh vehicles and measure the amount of material they are carrying. The resulting measurements determine how much landfill tax local authorities have to pay.

However, if weighbridge tests use incorrect weighing equipment and give inaccurate measurements, it can result in local authorities paying incorrect levels of landfill tax. Inaccurate weighing can also result in damage to road surfaces and bridges due to overloaded lorries.

The aim of the Weighbridge Project is to show the importance of weighbridge accuracy and the impact errors can have on the environment, the cost to businesses and to local authorities by collating weighing information from local authorities across the UK.

In particular it is designed to ensure that councils have effective information on which to base landfill charges, landfill tax and recycling targets.

The report states: “There was a significant reduction in the number of weighbridges tested that were found to be outside the legal tolerance, from 25.5% in Phase 1 of the Project to 16.9%. A 16.9% failure rate is, however, still a matter for concern.”

The NMO noted, however, that 148 weighbridges were tested in the latest report – less than half of the 352 tested in the previous report covering the 2010-2011 financial year.

Continue reading - Concern over accuracy of recycling weighbridges