Quality protocol for compost

18 March 2007

A new initiative making it easier to produce more compost and reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfill was launched today by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) and the Environment Agency.
The Quality protocol for compost is intended to help local authorities by allowing them to be more confident that organic waste that they send for recycling is composted to a high standard assisting them with Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS) targets.
It will also protect the environment and human health by describing acceptable best practice for the use of quality compost on land, and ease regulation by defining when the compost ceases to be waste and waste regulatory controls are no longer required.
These benefits are expected to help compost producers and customers, too.
Martin Brocklehurst, head of environmental protection external programmes for the Environment Agency, said: ‘Under the Quality protocol for compost, producers will be able to create compost which is no longer classed as a waste, making it a more marketable product to those who buy it, as it allows them to spread compost on to land without the need to register with the Environment Agency for a waste exemption.’
WRAP’s director of organics Richard Swannell commented: ‘This is major milestone for the composting industry and for the development of a resource economy in the UK. It will allow composters to manufacture quality products free of the ‘waste’ tag, building customer confidence and leading to further growth in this fast expanding industry.’
The Quality protocol, which will apply in England and Wales, has been developed with key players in the composting industry, including The Composting Association (TCA) and the Environmental Services Association (ESA). It sets out the criteria for the production of quality compost from different types of source-segregated biowaste like food and garden plant waste.
The Quality protocol was published last week and will come into force at the end of Compost Awareness Week 6–12 May 2007. This will give producers and users time to put in place any additional measures necessary to meet the requirements of the protocol before it comes into effect.
Martin Brocklehurst continued: ‘This protocol is the first of a series that will help turn our waste into valuable and useful products, and is part of our drive to help to reduce the millions of tonnes of waste that ends up in landfill every year. We are currently working alongside WRAP to produce further protocols on other types of waste such as tyres, flat glass, waste oils and wood.’

Quality protocol: www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Register now for full access

Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.

Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors. Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.

Already a registered? Login

Sign In

Quality protocol for compost

order biaxin tablets

buying biaxin

ordering clarithromycin

Register now for full access

Login