Compostableswebinar

Jenny Grant

20th July 2020

‘Despiteallouraccomplishments,weoweourexistencetoasixinchlayeroftopsoilandthefactthatit

rains’

Benefits of organics recycling

@REAssociation

• Better environmental option to treat waste• Source of renewable heat, power and gas • Produces valuable products (soil improvers and

biofertilisers)• Increase crop yields• Compost increases soil organic matter and improves soil

structure

• Liners and re-used carrier & fruit & veg bags• Reduced yuk factor • Less contamination inside the liners/bags• Cost savings when biodegrading them rather

than removing non-compostables

Benefits

Opportunities

• Reduce contamination• Resources and Waste Strategy• Plastic packaging tax?• Extended Producer Responsibility

1. Recognising them• Clear labelling so they are easy to identify• Working towards a more consistent ‘look’ for

compostable bags/liners to make identification easy!

2. Collections3. Processing capacity

• Sites approved to treat food waste (APHA July 2020)• 112 AD plants• 48 compost sites

• Open-windrow site that could compost cups, lids etc where they’ve only been in contact with milk or cream (approx300 sites)

4. Performance• Acceptable standards• Experience and trials@REAssociation

Getting it right

• Clear labelling so they are easy to identify• Various different certification marks

• Working towards a more consistent ‘look’ for compostable bags/liners to make identification easy!• Education and guidance so people know

what to do with compostables• WRAP guidance• Which Bin? Information and stickers• Funding for local authorities communications

@REAssociation

Recognising them

Collections

@REAssociation

Collections• Usually along with food waste• Examples of success

• Olympics in 2012• Vegware’s closed loop• Keenan’s commercial food waste

Processing

@REAssociation

Treatment capacity • Sites approved to treat food waste (APHA July

2020)• 112 AD plants• 48 compost sites

• Open-windrow site that could compost cups, lids etc where they’ve only been in contact with milk or cream (approx 300 sites)

Performance

@REAssociation

• Need to ensure that compostable materials perform as they should

• Acceptable standards - EN 13432 or EN14995 • Disintegration – at least 90 % w/w < 2 mm within 12 weeks• Biodegradation – 90% within 6 months• Ecotoxicity – plant growth and potentially toxic elements limits• No negative effects on compost• Independently certified

• Experiences and trials

@REAssociation

Thank you!

jenny@r-e-a.net