Legal advice on waste disposal is being offered free on the Timber Recycling Information Centre (TRIC) website (www.recycle-it.org).

The site was launched last year by TRADA Technology’s Business Solutions Group (BSG), with backing from the Biffaward scheme. The aim is to boost the industry’s timber recycling levels and improve waste management.

Phil Becker, the BSG project manager, said that the new advice line, or ‘legal zone’ (www.recycle-it.org/news/legal.asp) will enhance the site. Key areas for queries are expected to concern landfill tax, packaging regulation notes and waste licences.

The line is being serviced by Clarks Solicitors of Reading, which has extensive experience in environmental law.

‘Clarks will help identify whether an issue has potential legal implications and provide an initial free tranche of advice, normally within two days. Whether the advice offered is acted upon is entirely up to the enquirer and Clarks will in no way police the outcome,’ said Mr Becker. ‘If the company then wants to take the matter further, they can either pay Clarks or go to another solicitor – although we want to make it very clear this is definitely not a sales pitch from the lawyers.’

&#8220Many companies may still be unaware or unclear of their obligations under latest environmental and waste management legislation

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Phil Becker, TRADA Technology Business Solutions Group

He said that many companies may still be unaware or unclear of their obligations under latest environmental and waste management legislation.

‘They may have been disposing of waste in a certain way for a long time, for instance burning wood in a skip, and not know whether this is still permissible,’ he said. ‘The Legal Zone will act as a safety net, pointing out areas where they could be in contravention of the law and possible solutions.’

Access to the TRIC site is also free of charge, added Mr Becker.