John Barrittt explained that the objective of the WRAP Aggregates Programme is to reduce the environmental impact of mineral extraction by minimising the demand for primary aggregates. This is to be achieved through facilitating the increased availability and use of aggregates from recycled and secondary resources in England.

To develop the Programme to achieve this objective it is necessary to analyse the present resources used for construction aggregates, their availability and their utilisation in the market. From this information it is possible to identify and overcome the barriers to the more sustainable resourcing of these aggregates.

He presented the following table showing the major resources for secondary and recycled aggregates in construction is well established and statistics on their production that are finally becoming more reliable with the recently published ODPM surveys.

Major Secondary and Recycled Resources in England	Million tonnes
Recycled Construction, Demolition and Excavation Waste	36
Asphalt planings	5
Spent Rail Ballast	1
Blast Furnace and Steel Slag	2
Colliery Spoil	1
PFA/FBA	3
China Clay aggregates	2
Secondary/Recycled sub-total	50

Determining the potential for the greater use of non-primary resources is not a simple matter of totalling up the surplus annual production, the potential recycled aggregates landfilled and the useable stockpiles.

The sustainable use of resources should initially use the most appropriate locally available resource for an end use, enabling materials to be used to their potential. In most cases materials should only be imported into a region when suitable alternatives are not available.

Using this principle a policy for sustainable aggregates must also consider and include primary resources, optimising their potential and minimising waste. More aggregates will be resourced from secondary and recycled materials that are fit for purpose for a wide range of applications, consistent, and competitive on price.

The speaker concluded that the use of recycled and secondary aggregates has been through its greatest period of growth. The future is about doing it better. The market place should understand that aggregates are aggregates regardless of the resource used. It is using the most appropriate resource in each geographic area for its most appropriate use that will result in a more sustainable supply of aggregates.

Economics are important and products must be competitive, but minimising waste and optimising the potential of resources can be the lowest cost option. Undoubtedly economics will improve with further fiscal measures on landfill costs and primary extraction, but a proactive approach will give forward thinking companies a competitive edge now, and even higher returns in the future.