UK – £1.5M study into composting practices reports findings

New approach to collecting organic waste could revolutionise kerbside collections



The UK‘‘s biggest ever study into composting practices has reported its findings. The Integrated Composting programme (ICP) is a series of seven projects, analysing different aspects of the composting chain including: methods of collecting organic waste, setting up different types of composting facilities and investigating potential end-markets for compost.



One of the most exciting projects could revolutionise the way green waste is collected at the kerbside following a successful trial of 300 households in the London Borough of Bexley.



The ICP was made possible with funding of £1.5M from SITA Trust, through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. Key findings from each of the studies were as follows:



Collection





The most cost effective and productive way to collect organic waste from households through kerbside collection was found to be using compacting rear end loading vehicles with two person crews. The ICP trialled an innovative system using specially designed aerobic bins with biodegradable removable bags, which householders filled with household organic waste. The system has proven to be a great success with up to 5.2kg/household/week of organic waste diverted from the residual waste stream

Separating organic waste from retail outlets was shown to be difficult because of the high turnover of staff. Regular training was needed to reduce contamination of organic waste with other waste types.



Establishing Composting Facilities





Constructing a high quality compost site was shown to be possible in as little as eight months from outline proposal to completion for a site consisting of a concrete pad, push-up walls and leachate management.

Setting up composting schemes on farms and using the product as a soil improver proved to be successful and this was demonstrated to be a large potential market for compost.

A scheme in Gateshead demonstrated the procedures involved in establishing a composting scheme that meets BSI PAS100 quality standards for compost.

End-markets for Compost



A scheme in Scotland, which enabled local people to deposit green waste at a council facility and receive free bags of compost in return, proved there was a market for the 500 tonnes per annum produced from the local waste stream. The scheme also demonstrated ways to encourage local community participation in recycling schemes.

A project demonstrating the benefits of compost use in the establishment of wildflower meadows proved that there was increased yields in the flower species sown and greater diversity in flower species overall where compost was applied.



John Leaver from SITA Trust said: “The ICP report is essential reading for anyone setting up or running a composting scheme. Each of the projects was set up from scratch, which means many lessons could be learned and the report provides detailed information about the costs and approach to setting up each of the schemes.”