Composting - Environmental Services Association

Composting

Biodegradable waste such as food waste and green waste can be transformed into a valuable product - compost. The most recent figures show that nearly three and a half million tonnes of waste material was collected and composted in 2005/06 in the UK, a rise of 28% on the previous year. In total 85% of this was municipal waste with just over half of the municipal waste coming from materials deposited at civic amenity sites. From this just over two million tonnes of compost products were producedm nearly half of which was sold, the majority direct to end users, to use as a soil improver, but also as a growing medium, turf dressing and for topsoil. Most compost comes from 'green waste', waste such as hedge trimmings and grass cuttings. But food wastes, certain biodegradable industrial waste and other organics are also used to make compost and are becoming more significant in terms of volumes being collected, with increasing numbers of local authorities now offering separate doorstep collection of food waste.		What is Composting?



	Compost is becoming increasingly popular with gardeners because it: 1. Improves soil quality Compost contains significant quantities of organic material, nutrients and vitamins. It can also increase the soil stability and improve soil waster holding capacity. 2. Is safe to apply to soil Quality standards have been carefully set for compost to provide compost users with the confidence to know the compost they use meets certain environmental and safety standards. 3. Replaces natural resources Compost can replace the need to use natural resources - such as peat - as a soil improver.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an emerging technology potentially enabling the industry to supply both sustainable energy and also organic materials to secure the long-term productivity of our soils, while also diverting biodegradable waste from landfill. The Government is demonstrably committed to seeing AD contribute to reducing carbon emissions, as is evidenced by the decision to double the level of support to AD under the Renewables Obligation and a new Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme, as well as through the publication of a national Biomass Strategy in 2007.

Useful Links:

Latest Data:
The State of Composting and Biological Waste Treatment in the UK 2005/06 (Wrap/Composting Association)
Download Here

DEFRA:
Composting Briefing

Composting Association:
Composting information and compost standards

WRAP:
Composting information