compost and growing media manufacturing in the uk, opportunities for the use of composted

COMPOST AND GROWING MEDIA MANUFACTURING IN THE UK, OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE USE OF COMPOSTED MATERIALS

Project STA0020 - Compost and growing media supply and demand study

Written By:

Paul Waller Paul Waller Consulting 15 Cuckfield Avenue Ipswich Suffolk IP3 8RZ Tel: 01473 436935 Fax: 01473 421243 Email: [email protected]

Nick Temple-Heald Goldenbrown Consulting The Downe Arms Church Lane Little Driffield East Yorkshire YO25 5XD Tel: 01377 252546 Fax: 01377 252546 Email: [email protected]

Published by: The Waste and Resources Action Programme The Old Academy, 21 Horsefair, Banbury, Oxon OX16 0AH Tel: 01295 819900 Fax: 01295 819911 www.wrap.org.uk Published: June 2003 ISBN: 1-84405-048-3

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COMPOST AND GROWING MEDIA MANUFACTURING IN THE UK, OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE USE OF COMPOSTED MATERIALS

Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4

1. INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES 6

1.1 Description of the project 6

1.2 Objectives 6

2. THE UK GROWING MEDIA MARKET AND BACKGROUND 6

2.1 The UK growing media market 6

2.2 Background to the project 7

3. SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS 8

3.1 Scope 8

3.2 Terms, definitions and abbreviations 8

4. METHODOLOGY 11

4.1 Green compost production 11

4.2 Growing media production 11

4.3 Analysis 11

5. UK GROWING MEDIA MANUFACTURING SITES 11

6. UK COMPOST PRODUCTION SITES 15

6.1 Survey responses 15

6.2 Sites and locations 15

6.3 Current processing capacity and output in 2002 16

6.4 Growing media manufacturer uptake in 2002 17

6.5 Future increases in supply 17

6.6 Observations 17

6.7 Analysis 18

Compost and growing media manufacturing September 2002 2

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7. FACTORS EFFECTING THE COST OF GROWING MEDIA 19

7.1 The growing media supply chain 19

7.2 End-to-end logistics costs 20

7.3 Historical location of growing media production in the UK 21

8. ANALYSIS OF LOGISTICS COSTS BY SUBSTRATE 21

8.1 Assumptions on substrate density 21

8.2 Assumptions on inward haulage distance 22

8.3 Analysis 22

9. ANALYSIS OF “COMPETITIVE SOURCE COSTS” FOR IDENTIFIED COMPOST PRODUCTION SITES 25

10. FUTURE TRENDS AND POTENTIAL FOR USE OF COMPOSTED MATERIALS 26

10.1 The European perspective and influence of peat availability 26

10.2 Prospects for the regionalisation of growing media supply 29

11. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 30

REFERENCES 31

MAPS AND APPENDICES

Map 1: Geographical distribution of UK retail growing media manufacturing sites 32

Map 2: Geographical distribution of UK professional growing media manufacturing sites 33

Map 3: Geographical distribution of surveyed compost production sites in the UK 34

Appendix 1: Growing media manufacturer contact details 35

Appendix 2: Green compost producer survey form, February 2003 37

Appendix 3: Green compost producer survey, February 2003 - Sites and inputs by supplier 39

Appendix 4: Green compost producer survey, February 2003 - Process, accreditations and outputs by supplier 46


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Executive summary WRAP is an organisation that has been established to promote stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products. The growing media manufacturing industry is a potentially large and valuable end market for compost products. This project quantifies the scale and location of the demand for compost products from that industry and the availability of green compost to supply that demand. It also identifies where gaps exist and highlights logistical barriers to increasing green compost usage and suggests ways by which they might be overcome. UK growing media manufacturing sites are principally found in Northern Ireland, the North West of England, the North East of England and in Somerset. There are no significant growing media manufacturing operations in Scotland, Wales or in the South East of England. This project estimates the production and/or usage of growing media in the UK to be 4 million m3 per annum: this is about 10% greater than the recently published data from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM, 2003). It is proposed that the difference lies in exports of UK produced growing media - as the ODPM data concerns consumption rather than production - and an underestimate of the degree of so called “own-mix” in professional horticulture. Only 37% of growing media is produced by growing media manufacturers in England. Over half of the total production takes place on the island of Ireland. This project identified 55 green compost production sites in the UK, which on the whole had inputs of more than 10,000 tonnes of green waste per annum each. These sites have licences for the production of about 1 million tonnes and currently produce about 740,000 tonnes between them. Of this about 165,000 tonnes (300,000 m3) are produced in the appropriate grade for growing media use but only 68,000 m3 was actually sold to growing media manufacturers last year for this purpose. This compares with recently published data from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM, 2003) that estimated that in 2001 92,000 m3 of green compost were used in growing media manufacturing. The difference may be accounted for by the fact that this survey looked at suppliers as opposed to customers. Suppliers have no control over what happens to their product once it has left them. According to the ODPM, inclusion of green compost in growing media in 2001 amounted to 2.5% of total consumption. Over the next two to three years the volume of green compost suitable for inclusion in growing media is likely to rise to about 275,000 m3 per annum. This would represent a fourfold increase in usage, but raise total green compost inclusion to just 8% of UK consumption, based on the authors’ figures. In order to utilise all of this material, it will have to be made available to growing media manufacturers at the right price. It is unfortunate that the vast majority of the compost production sites are located around centres of population in the South East of England and the Midlands, whilst growing media production is located in Northern Ireland, Ireland, Cumbria and rural Eastern England. Utilisation of all 275,000 m3 of available green compost in the next three years will require incorporation at approaching 30%, in all retail growing media currently produced in England, a technical and economic challenge. Ultimately it will be economic and hence logistical factors that will determine the mix of substrates used in the production of UK growing media. Throughout most of Europe growing media is dominated by peat as a substrate. One exception to this heavy reliance on peat is France, where peat accounts for only 40% of substrates used. France has never had a significant indigenous peat resource. Consequently growing media composition has evolved differently and relies more on bark and composted materials.


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Analysis of the logistical costs in the UK shows that there will only be an economic incentive to produce considerably more green compost for inclusion in growing media in the future, if a sizeable proportion of the growing media production moves to new sites in the South East and South West of England. Composting operations could then be established at or very close to these new sites, to minimise end-to-end material costs. There are other external pressures that may also influence compost producers to produce more green compost of the correct quality at or near to growing media manufacturers. There is currently, pressure from major retailers to produce reduced-peat formulations. This is likely to continue but only in as far as it is economically feasible and within the constraints on availability. The price of imported peat and by default growing media may increase as availability of peat in Europe comes under pressure from a reduction in UK and German peat production. These pressures will engage growing media manufacturers to consider not only green compost but also other, perhaps more consistent waste materials such as wood waste.


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1 Introduction and objectives

1.1 Description of the project WRAP is an organisation that has been established to promote sustainable waste management: its particular focus is creating stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products. The growing media manufacturing industry is a potentially large and high value end market for compost products. This project is to quantify the scale and location of the demand for compost products from that industry.

1.2 Objectives The objectives of this project are: To quantify the scale and location of the demand for compost products from the growing media manufacturing industry and to compare this with the current scale and location of the supply of compost products. To identify gaps that may exist and highlight logistical barriers in the supply and demand relationship and suggest ways to overcome these. To enable the growing media manufacturing industry to identify potential sources of compost products and the compost producing industry to identify potential customers for their products.

2 UK growing media market and background

2.1 The UK growing media market The manufacture of growing media in the UK is an industrial blending process that is undertaken by about 30 companies in locations in England and Northern Ireland, most of whom have national distribution networks. The accepted European definition of a ‘growing medium’ (GM) is a material, other than a soil in situ, in which plants are grown. Although for many years GM has contained only a very small proportion of composted material, the more common (but incorrect) name in the UK is ‘compost‘ - as in ‘John Innes Compost’ or multi-purpose compost. In practice GM refers to a ready-to-use product that allows plants to be grown in pots, containers, growing bags, troughs and beds that are completely isolated from the soil. It should not be confused with a soil improver (SI) which is a material added to soil in situ to enhance its physical, chemical and biological properties. The volume of GM used in the UK in 2001 has been estimated at 3.6 million m3 per year, of which 2.3 million m3 is supplied to the retail market and professional growers use 1.3 million m3. (ODPM, 2003) In the context of this project it is important to note that the authors estimate that only 1.5 million m3 of GM used in the UK is manufactured by growing media companies in Great Britain. A further 0.4 million m3 are mixed by individual growers – “own mix”. Of the remainder the vast majority is manufactured on the island of Ireland, with about 1.3 million m3 being manufactured in Northern Ireland and a further 0.8 million m3

imported as ready made growing media from the Republic of Ireland. 2.6 million m3 of the product is sold in packs of 75 litres or less and about 0.3 million m3 are sold in semi-bulk format in big bales or bulk bags of up to 6 m3. The remainder is sold loose or is ‘own-mixed’ on nurseries from components.


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About 70% of all bagged GM is sold in the spring and demand at this time is so high that product cannot be made ‘just in time’. Production for the new season can begin as early as the previous autumn and packed product may be stored for six months before despatch. Slower moving lines (usually lower volume products such as sowing or ericaceous media) could be kept for a further 12 months by the retailer. As retention by the consumer may also be extended, modern GM need to be stable in storage for at least 18 months; i.e. they should not deteriorate, change physically or in nutritional status as a result of biological or other processes during the storage period with the result that they become unfit for purpose. The GM market is influenced considerably by the large DIY retailers and the garden centre chains. Pricing is very tight and competition is very keen. Prices of growing media at retail and wholesale are generally accepted to be lower now than they were 15 years ago. The latest government data (ODPM, 2003) shows that 90% of the material used in UK GM in 2001 was peat. This peat was sourced principally from the UK, Ireland and the Baltic States. The proportion of peat from outside the British Isles has increased considerably over the last two to three years and this trend is set to continue. However, for environmental reasons there is pressure to reduce the use of peat and to increase the use of otherwise waste materials that would go to landfill. In 2001, alternative substrates used include bark (4%) and green compost (2.5%). This study examines the availability of green compost and the logistical considerations and barriers to increasing the proportion of this material used in the manufacture of growing media.

2.2 Background to the project The latest published Government figures from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on the consumption of peat and alternative materials show that by 2001, 37% of the former uses of peat had been replaced by alternatives. This represents only a 1% overall percentage increase in this composite figure since 1999. In the soil improver market where technical requirements are lower and alternatives are recognised to perform better, peat replacement has been rapid and only 0.1 million m3 or 6% of this market now remains to be converted. Here bark has a 70% market share and green compost approximately 15%. For growing media uses, where the performance criteria are more demanding, 90% of the material used (3.3 million m3) remains peat. Accordingly, the greatest potential for further increased usage of composted materials is in the GM sector. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s report Monitoring of Peat and Alternative Products for Growing Media and Soil Improvers in the UK 2001 (www.planning.odpm.gov.uk) gives some data on the supply and use of green compost: ‘The volumes of green compost available to horticulture have increased dramatically, from 62,000 m3 in 1996 to 323,000 m3 in 2001 and now account for 16% of the total alternatives used. The majority of material (71%) is used for soil improvement, but an increasing proportion is now used in growing media (92,000 m3 in 2001 compared to 14,300 m3 in 1999, a 544% increase).’ However this only represents 2.5% of the growing media volume; bark represents 4%. This project is about the utilisation of waste materials in growing media; it is neither pro- nor anti-peat. Two decades of anti-peat campaigning has led to a demand from some major retailers for peat replacement in growing media and container plants as well as soil improvers. However, environmental concerns cannot override the logistical and technical aspects and it is these parameters that govern the extent to which suppliers are willing and able to meet this aspiration. The aforementioned report recognises this issue and quotes German experience of green compost use in growing media. It states that rates of inclusion above 35% ‘may cause problems with the structure of the


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growing medium, high nutrient levels and high bulk density of the end product (which influences handling and transport costs)’. According to data supplied by the Horticulture Working Group of the International Peat Society, composted materials account for only 1.4% of growing media substrates used in Germany (Bohlin, 2002). The Government has set a target of 40% of the former uses of peat to be replaced by alternative materials by 2005 (Department of the Environment, 1995). This target will probably be met. However, significant further progress will only be possible if waste materials can be used in growing media. Ministers have indicated that they wish to initiate discussions with the relevant stakeholders with a view to setting a new target. It is hoped that this work will help inform that process.

3 Scope and definitions 3.1 Scope For the purposes of this project, ‘growing media’ is defined as material sold for the specific application of growing plants in containers, media blocks and growing bag type applications. It specifically excludes materials sold primarily as soil conditioners and mulches. The scope of the project covers growing media consumed and manufactured in the UK and includes imported growing media products (i.e. bags of compost) as well as bulk substrates, but excludes the following: Import and sale by default of growing media around the roots of imported plants. Professional growing media, which is so called “own mix”, where growers purchase substrate and mix their own bespoke growing media. Note: The authors estimate that “own mix” may account for up to 30% of the total professional growing media usage – mainly in nursery stock production – and up to 10% of the total UK growing media output. There are no significant centres of production. The scope of the project includes growing media used in both retail and professional/Local Authority/landscaping sectors but since the technical, logistical and economic issues concerning the utilisation of waste materials are quite different in the two sectors, they are assessed separately.

3.2 Terms, definitions and abbreviations For the purpose of this report the following terms, definitions and abbreviations apply. Bark Lignified outer protective tissue from the trunks of one or more types of tree species that is removed at sawmills and may thereafter be aged or composted and screened to provide material that may serve as a growing media constituent, soil improver or mulch. Bulk Density (BD) The density of the material as received or reconstituted for use in accordance with the manufacturers instructions and determined by the method specified in BS EN 12580:2000. Note: It is usually expressed in gl-1or kg m-3; 1gl-1 is equivalent to 1kg m-3. For green compost a figure of 550 gl-1 is typical; for Baltic peat the value is approximately one third of this. Coir This is a generic name for material derived from the outer husk of the coconut. The fibre portion is used for the production of mats and ropes etc. and the residual pith is a by-product that is a very useful, if expensive, horticultural substrate. It is transported in dry compressed blocks to the site of growing media manufacture where it is reconstituted with water.


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Compost Solid particulate material that is the result of composting, that has been sanitised and stabilised and that confers beneficial effects when added to soil and/or used in conjunction with plants (PAS 100). Note: It specifically excludes materials such as John Innes or Levington ‘Compost’, which are formulated growing media that were historically labelled as ‘composts’, but which are not based on composted materials; these are more accurately described as growing media. Composting Process of controlled biological decomposition of biodegradable materials under managed conditions that are predominantly aerobic and that allow the development of thermophilic temperatures as a result of biologically produced heat, in order to achieve compost that is sanitary and stable (PAS 100). Cubic Metre (m3) Volumetric measure equivalent to 1000 litres and the unit in which growing media or their bulky components is traded and the market size expressed. Note: Growing media (and soil improvers) are generally traded by volume as the moisture content varies considerably and this has a significant effect on its weight. For the purchaser it is more practical to know the volume of material being bought rather than its weight and for a plant in a container it is the volume that is important. Great Britain (GB) The area of the United Kingdom comprising England, Scotland and Wales and excluding Northern Ireland. Green waste (GW) Post-consumer waste material of botanical origin that derives from gardens, parks and other horticultural activities; includes tree and shrub prunings, grass and other whole plant material and may include kitchen or vegetable processing waste. Green compost (GC) Compost derived from the composting of green waste. Green compost producer An enterprise or organisation engaged in the processing of green waste into a usable end product by composting. Growing medium/media (GM) Material other than soil in situ, in which plants are grown (PD CR 13456: 1999). Note: It refers here to materials that are ready-mixed and sold for growing plants in pots, containers, growing bags and media blocks and specifically excludes soil conditioners and mulches. Growing media manufacturer Commercial enterprise engaged in the formulation and blending of constituent parts of a growing medium into a ready-mixed finished product for sale in the professional or retail markets. Note: These manufacturers may also be engaged in the production and marketing of growing media constituents (substrates such as peat and bark), soil improvers and mulches. Growing Media Association (GMA) Trade association of growing media manufacturers and others involved in the manufacture and/or import of growing media or soil improvers and/or their constituents and the marketing and sale of these products within the UK. Mulch A material applied to the surface of a soil or other growing medium to minimise cultivation and enhance plant growth by retaining moisture, suppressing weeds and enhancing biological activity.


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Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) A Central Government department that brings together key responsibilities for regional and local government, fire, housing, planning and regeneration; responsible for the commissioning of the report entitled Monitoring of Peat and Alternative Products for Growing Media and Soil Improvers in the UK 2001. Own mix A bespoke growing medium produced by a grower, nurseryman or other professional horticulturist from individual substrates for use on-site and not for re-sale. Note: Whilst part of the UK professional growing media market, there are no significant centres of production and these materials are outside the scope of this report. Peat Partially decomposed plant residues derived from bogs, mires or fens consisting principally of mosses such as Sphagnum species, sedges or reeds, etc.; the standard substrate for growing media production in the UK and North-West Europe. Peat alternative A material with appropriate physical, chemical and biological properties that may be used to partially or completely replace peat as a growing media substrate, soil improver or mulch. Professional market That portion of the growing media market which supplies plant producers and other professional horticulturists with substrates and ready-mixed growing media via specialist distributors or direct deliveries for the expressed purpose of raising plants for commercial sale or landscaping, for example nursery stock, propagating, bedding and blocking ‘composts’. Retail market That portion of the growing media market which supplies hobby or ’amateur’ gardeners with growing media via DIY supermarkets and garden centres, etc. for planting or growing plants in containers for recreational and cosmetic purposes, for example multipurpose ‘compost’, tub and hanging basket ‘compost’ or growing bags. Soil improver (SI) Material added to soil in situ primarily to maintain or improve its physical properties, and which may improve its chemical and/or biological properties or activity (PD CR 13456: 1999). Also known as a soil conditioner. The Composting Association (TCA) Organisation that is the UK's membership organisation that researches and promotes best practice in composting and the uses of composts. The Association acts as a central resource for composting, researching, collecting and disseminating information and has members from all sectors of the UK waste management industry, including compost producers, Local Authorities, consultants, trade suppliers, compost users, academics, individuals and students. Tonnes (MT) Unit of mass equivalent to 1000 kg; also known as a metric ton. United Kingdom (UK) Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Whiting Data Aggregated professional growing media market information based on quarterly sales volume data provided in confidence to Whiting and Partners - a firm of chartered accountants - by the five leading suppliers of UK manufactured professional ‘compost’.


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4 Methodology

4.1 Green compost production The contractors initially contacted the 13 largest organic waste processors in the UK expected to process at least 10,000 tonnes per annum of green compost. The Composting Association (TCA) provided a list of 37 organisations they believed to be processing this threshold quantity of green compost. This list included the 13 organisations already contacted, together with 24 others. All 37 organisations were telephoned to seek their co-operation in this project and this was followed up by a questionnaire in the form of a spreadsheet, together with a request to confirm that any information provided was non-confidential and could be passed to and published by WRAP.

4.2 Growing media production Data on growing media manufacturing sites was compiled initially by the authors using their experience of the industry and in the case of professional horticulture, the industry’s so called “Whiting Data”. The initial draft was circulated to all member organisations of the Growing Media Association’s Management Committee for review and amendment. In addition the data was reviewed by the Association’s chairman and chief executive. In this way an accurate picture of the regional distribution of growing media production and banding of sites was developed that was informative but protected the confidentiality of individual organisation details. The geographical distribution of growing media manufacturing sites is shown in separate maps for retail and professional sites. The results built up in this way were later compared with the independent data collected by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM, 2003). The GMA and the ODPM data correlated in terms of overall volume to within 4%.

4.3 Analysis Estimates were made of end-to-end substrate costs for a number of potential substrates in each region. End-to-end substrate cost comprise cost at source, cost of transport to the growing media manufacturing site and the cost of onward transport to the customer. The comparative transport costs are a function of distance and density. The authors have first-hand experience of handling each of the substrates analysed and therefore of the average density of each. Average haulage distances were estimated using the maps generated for this study. Using the information collected, an estimate was made for each region of the required source cost of green compost in order to compete effectively in terms of cost with imported peat.

5 Growing media manufacturing sites In this section the data collected concerning growing media manufacture is collated, reviewed and analysed. The majority of growing media consumed in the UK for both retail and professional growing media is manufactured by about 25 companies in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. There is also a significant amount of growing media that is produced on grower premises by the grower himself. This so-called “own mix” volume (about 10% of the total) is outside the scope of this project. An estimate has been made of the volume of growing media produced in each region of the UK and of imports and total “own mix”. These estimates have been peer reviewed by the members of the Management Committee of the Growing Media Association.


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The significant growing media manufacturing sites in the UK for retail and professional horticulture are tabulated in Tables 1 and 2 respectively. Site locations are indicated on Map 1. Contact details for each site are listed in Appendix 1. The volume bands were kindly provided by the Growing Media Association. The bands were chosen to ensure that no individual organisation’s data could be identified and this individual data was not disclosed to the authors. In addition to the sites listed there are numerous smaller sites. The majority of the smaller sites can be found in the South West region and in Ireland. Key to bands: Retail growing media manufacture on site (m3 per annum) Band A >250,000 Band B 100-250,000 Band C 50-100,000 Band D 25-50,000 Professional growing media manufacture on site (m3 per annum) Band A >150,000 Band B 100,000-150,000 Band C 50,000-100,000 Band D < 50,000


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Table 1: Sites manufacturing growing media for the retail market

Company Location Band North East region

The Scotts Company (UK) Ltd. Thorne, South Yorkshire A William Sinclair Horticulture Lincoln C ASB Greenworld Long Sutton, Lincolnshire C South (West) region Church Farm Horticulture Meare, Somerset D E.J. Godwin (Peat Industries) Ltd. Burtle, Somerset D Durstons Peat Products Ashcott, Somerset D Other Somerset producers C Wessex Horticulture Salisbury, Wiltshire D

North West region William Sinclair Horticulture Boothby, Cumbria B White Moss Horticulture Ltd. Kirby, Merseyside D L&P Peat Longtown, Cumbria C

Joseph Metcalf Ltd. Accrington/Astley, Lancashire C Northern Ireland

Bulrush Horticulture Magherafelt, Co Derry C Westland Horticulture Ltd. Dungannon, Co Tyrone A Growmore Coalisland, Co Tyrone D Evergreen Peat Products Coalisland, Co Tyrone D

Note: There is a large group of very small producers in Somerset which due to their close proximity to each other can be regarded as effectively one site.


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Table 2: Sites manufacturing growing media for the professional market

Company Location Band North East region

The Scotts Company (UK) Ltd.

Thorne, South Yorkshire A

Petersfield Cosby, Leicester D Premium Horticulture Thorne, Doncaster D

South (West) region

Roffey Ltd. Bournemouth, Dorset

D

Wessex Horticulture Salisbury, Wiltshire D Vapogro Newhaven,

East Sussex D

North West region

William Sinclair Horticulture

Boothby, Cumbria A

White Moss Peat Kirby, Merseyside D L&P Peat Longtown, Cumbria C Joseph Metcalf Ltd. Accrington/ Astley,

Lancashire C

Northern Ireland

Bulrush Horticulture Ltd. Magherafelt, Co Derry A Westland Horticulture Ltd.

Dungannon, Co Tyrone

B

Evergreen Peat Products

Coalisland, Co Tyrone

D


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The one site located in the South East region has been included in the South (West) region described above to avoid identification of the estimated volume. The following estimates of growing media production by region have been derived from Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions data, data provided by the Growing Media Association, the so- called Whiting Data and the personal knowledge of the authors. Members of the Management Committee of the GMA have also reviewed this data.

Table: 3 Estimate of growing media manufacture by region

Region Retail 000’s m3 per annum

Professional 000’s m3 per annum

Total 000’s m3 per annum

North East 450 275 725 North West 380 220 600 South (West) 125 60 185 Northern Ireland 1070 250 1320 Direct Imports 754 70 824 Own Mix (estimate)

400 400

Total 2779 1275 4054 It should be noted that whilst the above data differs slightly in total from that published very recently by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM, 2003), the ODPM data is concerned with growing media consumption rather than manufacture. As such it takes no account of media manufactured in the UK and subsequently exported. It is also thought that the ODPM data may have a smaller estimate of the “own mix” professional volume than that used here. Nonetheless, there is good correlation between the two sets of data independently gathered.

6 UK compost production sites In this section the data collected through the green compost producer survey is collated, reviewed and analysed. The questionnaire is reproduced in Appendix 2.

6.1 Survey responses Full or partial responses were obtained from all of the green compost producers contacted (37 organisations). The detailed responses are given in Appendices 3 and 4 and the individual production sites have been identified in Map 3.

6.2 Sites and locations On investigation, five of the organisations named by the TCA did not process greenwaste at all. A further TCA producer was only processing at a collaborator’s site. The 32 remaining organisations declared 55 green compost production sites. The regional distribution of the sites together with the total green waste inputs, green compost outputs and commercial sales to manufacturers for GM production in 2002 is summarised in Table 4.


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Table 4: Summary of green compost production sites by region for 2002 Region Number

of sites identified

Green waste processed 000’s tonnes

Green compost output (0-10/12mm) cubic metres

Sold to manufacturers for GM production 000’s m3

England: South East region 20 354 161 8 North West region 11 148 50 38 North East region 8 102 32 18 South West region 6 89 36 2 Total 45 693 279 66 Scotland 4 8 2 0 Wales 3 13 3 0 Total Great Britain 52 714 284 66 Northern Ireland 3 25 13 2 Total UK 55 739 297 68

It can be seen that 45 sites were in England, four in Scotland, three in Wales and three in Northern Ireland. The 45 sites located in England accounted for 82% of the production sites in the UK, 95% of the green compost production and 97% of sales of green compost to GM manufacturers. Approximately 50% of green compost sites and production is in areas where there is currently no significant volume of GM manufacture (see Maps 1 and 2). These include those in Wales and Scotland together with 20 sites in the South East of England. Sites of green compost production tend to be located in areas of higher population density, where higher volumes of green waste are generated. It is worth noting that these areas are also where the highest volumes of retail growing media product sales and consumption can be found. From the 55 sites identified, 33 of these sites handled more than 10,000 tonnes of green waste in 2002 and these were operated by just 19 organisations. At least four producers had sites operating under Exemption of a Waste Management Licence and so were not permitted to sell their output. The Waste Recycling Group plc., the largest single operator provided data for the seven of their sites which have Waste Management Licences. They have a further 14 sites operating under Exemptions but they did not provide details of these sites, as the output could only be used on-site and therefore not within the scope of this project.

6.3 Current processing capacity and output in 2002 Within the survey group the sites operating under Waste Management Licences had a potential capacity to process more than 1 million tonnes per annum of green waste. Based on the completed returns and verbal comments, the actual quantity of green waste that was processed by the survey group was approximately 740,000 tonnes in 2002.


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From this an output of approximately 300,000 m3 of green compost was produced in the size grade of 0-10 or 0-12mm; the grade having most general application for growing media inclusion. This volume is equivalent to approximately 165,000 tonnes of green compost (assuming a bulk density of 550kg m-3).

6.4 Growing media manufacturer uptake in 2002 Of the 300,000 m3 green compost output in the 0-10/12 mm size grade, 68,000 m3 (approximately 37,400 tonnes) was sold to manufacturers for growing media incorporation. This was supplied to the GM manufacturers by just seven producers and three of these (SITA, Moody and Onyx) provided 72% of the material. The remainder of the green compost output (approximately 700,000 tonnes) was used for on-site restoration, landscaping, soil improvement (much of which is bagged for the retail market), topsoil manufacture and as top dressing for turf.

6.5 Future increases in supply The suppliers who provided data for 2002 and estimates for 2005 indicated that they expected processed tonnages to increase from 556,000 to 956,000 tonnes per annum at the existing sites over this period. Confidentially, we were also advised that new sites planned by a number of organisations are expected to provide additional green waste processing capacity of at least another 250,000 tonnes per annum by 2005. These same suppliers expected output volumes (in the relevant grades of 0-10/12 mm) to increase to 463,000 m3 per annum by 2005 from 254,000 m3 per annum in 2002, an increase of approximately 210,000 m3 per annum from the existing sites (see Appendix 4). Based on the locations of the sites, methods of composting, length of the composting and maturation phases and comments from the green compost producers themselves, the authors estimate that perhaps one third of this increase could be utilised in GM manufacture. Furthermore, the authors were advised confidentially that the planned new sites could add extra capacity of least another 150,000 m3 per annum by 2005 and that 90% of this was being targeted at the growing media manufacturing sector. The majority of green compost producers who do not currently screen at 10 or 12 mm reported they would be willing to change their practices to provide material in this size range to the GM manufacturing sector. This is only of practical significance if the quality, quantity and price (a function of location) are appropriate and commercially attractive to major GM manufacturers.

6.6 Observations The organisations surveyed are licensed to handle over 1 million tonnes of green waste per annum and the quantity processed in 2002 was approximately 75% of this at 740,000 tonnes. The output of material in the appropriate size grade in 2002 was around 300,000 m3 and of this 68,000 m3

went into growing media manufacturing. The official estimate (ODPM, 2001) is that 92,000 m3 was used in growing media, which may reflect the inclusion of data from other green compost producers or more likely the recording of sales to growers (for “own mixing”) and to non-growing media applications which are outside the scope of this project. By 2005 the potential total volume of green compost produced is expected to rise to approximately 610,000 m3 if new site capacity is included. Based on processors’ expectations of the outlets for the additional output it is possible that the volume destined for growing media manufacture could increase by 205,000 m3, raising the total to about 275,000 m3, four times the 2002 figure. This represents a significant and very welcome increase in the volume of green compost that may be marketed in the near future. A comparison of the outputs in 2002 and 2005 is illustrated in Chart 1.


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Chart 1: Green compost production in the 0-10/12mm grades, 2002 versus 2005

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Output (000m3)

2002 2005

Non- GM capacity

Extra GM manufacturing capacity; new sites

Expanded GM manufacturing capacity; existing sites

Existing GM manufacturing capacity

6.7 Analysis According to Government figures (ODPM, 2003), sales of growing media in 2001 in the UK were around 3.6 million m3; approximately 2.3 million m3 per annum in the retail sector and 1.3 million m3 per annum in the professional sector (comprising 90% growers plus 10% Local Authorities and landscapers). Peat substrates contribute more than 90% of these volumes. In the ODPM report green compost usage in growing media represents approximately 2.5% of the total market and 25% of the peat alternatives; equivalent estimates for bark are about 4% and 40% respectively. To replace a further 10% of peat in GM by green compost would require more than 300,000 m3 of additional material. This material would need to be supplied at the right price and quality, and at the right location and time. This potential demand is greater than the expected availability of suitable green compost by 2005 (275,000m3 based on the data made available by producers in the survey group and without switching of material between uses). In terms of overall peat substitution, the impact of an increased supply of green compost appears to be relatively small but this requires further detailed regional and market analysis. Currently only 1.5 million m3 of GM is manufactured on the UK mainland and this actually occurs in England. Of this, a little over a third is sold to professionals as ready-mixed product, where there are serious concerns from GM manufacturers and the horticulture industry over the risks of using of green compost produced to current standards. This leaves 0.95 million m3 of retail GM products that can be realistically targeted by green compost. Given that by 2005, the predicted volume of potentially suitable green compost is approximately 275,000 m3, this could represent an average 29% of retail growing media formulations assuming a static growing media market. However, if the market were to grow at 5% per annum over the period, then green compost representation would fall to 24%. Therefore, assuming acceptable quality, English GM production could be provided with sufficient green compost to meet present retail market needs. The degree to which actual uptake might approach this level is, however, influenced by the geographical spread of the compost production sites and ultimately logistics. With 1.1 million m3 of retail growing media being manufactured in Northern Ireland, it is this region that suffers the most acute shortage of green compost. For this, and other logistical reasons, one can surmise


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that over the medium term some of this GM production will move to England. Such a move would obviously necessitate a reassessment of the above assumptions. Scotland and Wales have no significant growing media manufacturing facilities and the paucity of green compost production sites and capacity in these areas is not of commercial significance. It is notable that England has a high proportion of compost production sites that are in the South East region, where there are no current GM retail manufacturing facilities. However, developments over the next five years may see growing media manufacture and compost production converging in this area. As noted previously this is also where most retail growing media products are sold and consumed. Apart from site and logistical considerations, other commercial issues will play a major part in a GM manufacturer’s choice of supplier for green compost or any other substrate. For example, it is likely that major GM manufacturers will want to deal with only one or two large suppliers who have the capacity and systems to provide the most consistent, high quality product throughout the year and have the scale to minimise the costs. It is unlikely that a proliferation of small green compost producers will meet the needs of the GM manufacturing industry. Green compost will not be purchased on an ad hoc basis and long-term contractual arrangements will need to be in place. A GM manufacturer will need to establish confidence in the supplier and his output and be confident in the security of supply. Some significant changes in the green compost market are already taking place. Because different quality specifications are required for green compost products for different uses (for example retail growing media, professional growing media, soil improvers or mulches), some large green compost producers are beginning to dedicate sites to provide specific outputs for particular growing media manufacturers. The recent purchase of a 50% stake in the Apex Marketing Group by William Sinclair Horticulture is even more significant. It is a sign that the GM industry wishes to be integrated with the production and marketing of composted materials, which are becoming a key strategic resource now that UK peat is becoming unavailable and bark is in short supply.

7 Factors affecting the cost of growing media

7.1 The growing media supply chain For both retail and professional growing media the supply chain can be regarded as a journey that a substrate takes from its source to the consumer. Other inputs occur along the way such as the incorporation of fertilisers and the procurement of packaging etc. These other inputs however are either small in comparison to the substrate costs or essentially constant for all locations and suppliers. The growing media supply chain can be schematically represented as follows: Typical growing media supply chains:


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100% Peat-based substrates Composted materials substrate

Peat Source

Constant cost transport

Variable cost transport

Constant cost process Variable cost process

Key

Consumer

Retailer

Store Conversion Store

Constant cost transport

Variable cost transport

Constant cost process Variable cost process

Key

Consumer

Retailer

Store

Store

Conversion

Process at composting site

Store

Waste Source

7.2 End-to-end logistics costs Analysis of the supply chain can be simplified by ignoring those stages that are essentially constant irrespective of substrate used and/or location (the green operations above). At the growing media manufacturing sites, substrates are formulated, with the controlled addition of fertilisers and pH modifiers and either packed in bags or in the case of professional growing media, in bulk lorries. Whilst the cost of these operations, along with those of storing substrates and finished goods are significant, they can be regarded as essentially constant irrespective of location. It is also the case that the steps that involve the retailer and the final transport step from retailer to consumer do not affect the supply economics. For the purposes of this project, therefore, the end-to-end logistics cost contribution to the cost of growing media can be summarised as:

Transport cost outTransport cost inCost at source

Where: Cost at source is the cost of purchase (or harvest) of a substrate at its source. This could be peat at the source bog or alternatively the ex-works cost of composted materials at the compost production site.


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Transport cost in is the cost of moving the substrate from the source to the growing media manufacturing site. Transport cost out is the cost of moving the substrate from the growing media manufacturing site to the retailer (or grower in the case of professional growing media). Growing media is sold by volume. However, except for all but the lightest of substrates, transport costs are paid for by weight. Transport in costs are therefore a function of density and distance from source to growing media manufacturing site. Transport out costs are somewhat more complex due to the geographical distribution of customers and the fact that retailers and growers demand deliveries at short notice and often in part- or small load sizes. In addition, manufacturers generally have to distribute nationwide not merely locally. Consequently, the effect of density of a substrate on the overall end-to-end logistics cost is very significant indeed.

7.3 Historical location of growing media manufacture in the UK With a few notable exceptions, the position of growing media manufacturing sites as they appear on the map in Chapter 5 are the result of historical logistical parameters rather than necessarily those that will prevail in the not too distant future. The traditional model was for an organisation to locate its processing facility right at the peat source. Given that peat harvested in the UK was always more or less of the same density, then elimination of the ‘transport in’ element of the cost and avoidance of the fixed costs of running multiple manufacturing locations always overcame the additional costs of nationwide distribution. Many of the locations of growing media manufacturing sites in Great Britain today are located at peat sources which will become exhausted or un-workable for other reasons in the next five years or so. It would be erroneous in the analysis of potential use of composted material to assume that locations of these sites are fixed in the long term.

8 Analysis of logistics costs by substrate The end-to-end cost of a substrate is dependent upon the density of product, distance from source to manufacturing site and distance to customers. In order to make comparisons between substrates, it is necessary to make some simplifying assumptions. These assumptions will, in virtually every case, differ from the actual parameters. However, absolute values here are not that important. What is important is the difference between substrates.

8.1 Assumptions on substrate density Growing media products are unique in the UK in that they are a commodity that is sold by volume, but is compressible. It is also the case that most of the logistics costs are related to weight not volume. The density of a product is therefore the critical parameter. The following average densities have been assumed for each of the four main substrates. Imported peat: Peat is imported into the UK mainly from the Baltic States and from the Republic of Ireland. ‘Dry’ Irish peat generally varies between 180 and 260 gl-1 Baltic peat densities vary between 150 and 220 gl-1. As a simplifying assumption, an average density of 180 gl-1 has been taken. In the long term, the key competitor substrate is considered to be Baltic peat and this is the benchmark in the charts below. Green compost: Green compost in the 0-12mm fraction has a bulk density of between 500 and 600 gl-1. A density of 550 gl-1 has been assumed. Most of the compost producing organisations surveyed recognise that


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reducing the density of the product is desirable; however, it is unlikely that density can be reduced below 500 gl-1 consistently. Bark fines: Bark fines have a density of around 375 gl-1. Coir: Coir pith is shipped in a dried form. However, the material needs to be reconstituted and expanded by the addition of large quantities of water. Coir from some sources requires washing and chemical buffering before use. All these operations increase density, which consequently varies considerably. An average density of 300 gl-1 has been assumed here.

8.2 Assumptions on inward haulage distance Map 3 depicting the location of green compost producers shows two distinct concentrations of activity in South East England and in the Midlands. Not surprisingly, these surround the largest and second largest centres of UK population. The map of growing media manufacturers shows that these do not generally coincide with the compost production sites. Using these maps, an estimate of the average travelling distance from compost production sites to the largest GM manufacturing site in each region has been made as follows: North East: 100 Miles North West: 140 Miles South West: 90 Miles In the case of Northern Ireland, pure distance is not the issue due to the disproportionately high ferry costs. In this case the costs used in the model below were obtained by speaking to individual haulage companies. The haulage companies concerned asked to remain anonymous. It should be noted that at present there are no significant GM manufacturing sites in Scotland, Wales and only one in South East England where almost 50% of the English compost production sites are found. In Northern Ireland the opposite is true. Over one third of the UK’s growing media production takes place in the province but there is proportionately little, if any, compost production. Composted material would therefore have to be imported. The costs used assume the same haulage cost in and out for Northern Ireland.

8.3 Analysis The following analyses are not meant as an indication of absolute cost as this will vary considerably depending upon customers, types of product, load sizes, remaining use of indigenous peat, etc. information about which is, clearly commercially sensitive and not for publication. The charts below do, however, give a clear indication of the comparative cost of use of composted materials versus other substrates in each GM producing region. The costs assume full loads delivered direct to a customer. In reality actual costs may be considerably larger. Source costs (i.e. the price charged ex-works by the green compost producer) also vary. A green compost source cost of £4.50 m-3 has been used here as a constant for comparison purposes. The next section takes the above comparison on cost one step further and calculates the competitive source cost for green compost in Great Britain. All of the costs below can be derived from publicly available information (for example by asking for haulage quotes).


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Chart 2: Approximate end-to-end logistics cost by substrate: North East region

0

5

10

15

20

25

Logist ics Cost (£ .m-3)

Imported Peat CompostedWaste

Bark Coir

Transport OUTTransport INCost at source

Chart 3: Approximate end-to-end logistics cost by substrate: North West region

0

5

10

15

20

25

Logist ics Cost (£ .m- 3)


Bark Coir

Transport OUTTransport INCost at source

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Chart 4: Approximate end-to-end logistics cost by substrate: South West region L

0

5

10

15

20

25

ogist ics Cost (£ .m- 3)


Bark Coir

Transport OUT

Transport IN

Cost at source

Chart 5: Approximate end-to-end logistics cost by substrate: Northern Ireland

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

L o g is t ic s C o s t ( £ .m - 3 )

Im p o r t e dP e a t

C o m p o s t e dW a s t e

B a r k C o i r

T rans po rt O UTT rans po rt INC o s t at s o urc e

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In all regions, with the current supply chain, green compost is more expensive overall than imported peat. When one considers that until very recently the principle competitor substrate was UK peat (with about half the end-to-end cost of imported peat), then it is not surprising that these materials have made little impact to date. It is for this reason that the authors conclude that significant further progress will not be made unless composting of materials takes place on or close to the growing media manufacturers’ sites. See chapter 9 of this report for further information.

9 Target source costs for green compost The end-to-end logistics cost of a substrate is a function of its distance from source to the growing media factory, the density and the source cost (which comprises the cost of waste collection and processing plus an element of profit). Even allowing for the gate fee, there are significant additional capital, handling and processing costs that add to the source cost. Substantial uptake of green compost by the growing media industry will occur when its end-to-end cost betters that of competitor substrates. In almost every case, the competitor substrate is, or soon will be, imported peat. Using the assumptions outlined in chapter 8, the “break even” source cost for non-peat materials for a given density and distance from the factory has been estimated. This has been undertaken for each of the three growing media producing regions in England in Tables 5 to 7. Such an analysis is of course irrelevant in Northern Ireland because there is insufficient green compost to use. The “break even” source cost is the cost (ex-works) it would be necessary to charge the growing media manufacturer for a material of a given density and distance from the manufacturers’ factory in order to achieve the same end-to-end substrate cost as imported peat.

Table 5: Break even source cost estimates for GM substrates: North East region

Source cost (£m-3) Distance in (miles)

nil 25 50 100 150

400 7.20 5.35 5.05 4.43 3.82

450 6.45 4.37 4.03 3.33 2.64

500 5.70 3.39 3.01 2.24 1.47

550 4.95 2.41 1.99 1.14 0.30

Den

sity

(kg

m-3)

600 4.20 1.43 0.97 0.05 -0.88


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Table 6: Break even source cost estimates for GM substrates: North West region


nil 25 50 100 150

400 7.98 6.13 5.83 5.21 4.60

450 7.18 5.10 4.76 4.06 3.37

500 6.38 4.07 3.69 2.92 2.15

550 5.58 3.04 2.62 1.77 0.93

Den

sity

(kg

m-3)

600 4.78 2.01 1.55 0.63 -0.30

Table 7: Break even source costs estimates for GM substrates: South West region


nil 25 50 100 150 400 8.06 6.21 5.91 5.29 4.68 450 7.36 5.28 4.94 4.24 3.55 500 6.66 4.35 3.97 3.20 2.43 550 5.96 3.42 3.00 2.15 1.31

Den

sity

(kg

m-3)

600 5.26 2.49 2.03 1.11 0.18 Ex-works prices quoted for green compost currently vary from £4.00 to £6.00 m-3. Therefore at an average density of 550 gl-1 and in the absence of other pressures, such as that brought to bear by major retailers, only green compost produced at or very close to the growing media manufacturing site will have long term viability as a growing media component. It is therefore very clear that compost producers and growing media manufacturers need to get closer together, in more ways than one.

10 Future trends and potential for use of composted materials

10.1 The European perspective and influence of peat availability Growing media is an international product. It is therefore informative to any discussion of growing media substrates in the UK to look at the use of substrates overseas. Data published by the International Peat Society (IPS) is collected from growing media manufacturers across the world. The proportion of substrates used in major European growing media producing states is depicted in the following charts (Bohlin, 2002).


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Chart 6: Proportion of substrate used in growing media in three European countries

Holland

% of Substrates Used

38%

37%

4%

0%

12% 4% 5%

White Peat

Black Peat

Coir

Greenwaste

Rockwool

Bark

Others

Germany % of Substrates Used

30%

64%

1%

2%2% 1%

White PeatBlack PeatGreenwasteWood FibreClayOthers


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France % of Substrates Used

20%

20%

22%

28%

10%

White PeatBlack PeatGreenwasteBarkOthers

It should be noted that IPS regarded the data from France as the least reliable due to the limited number of responses. However, it is clear that the situation in France is entirely different from the more northern countries and that the French experience points the way towards future substrate usage in the UK. It is unlikely that French consumers demand peat-free or peat-reduced growing media for environmental reasons. The authors believe that some of the key reasons why the market in France has developed the way it has are as follows:

• France has little in the way of professional growing media production, therefore the much tighter technical constraints applied to this market are not significant.

• France has never had any significant indigenous commercial peat extraction industry.

• France is, on average, a long way away from Europe’s commercially workable peat deposits.

• France has a substantial indigenous supply of pine bark.

It is undoubtedly the high end-to-end logistics cost of peat in France coupled with the ready availability of bark and composted materials, which has resulted in the much higher use of non-peat substrates. It is clear therefore that if competitively priced non-peat materials become available then they will be widely used as alternatives to peat. The logistical considerations in chapters 7 to 9 in this report assume, for the purpose of comparison, that the cost of the cheapest competitor material (i.e. peat) will remain fixed with time. This is not necessarily a safe assumption. Again using IPS published data (Bohlin, 2002) it can be predicted that there will be significant changes in the sources and costs of peat over the coming decade. Notwithstanding the above, peat remains the most important constituent of growing media throughout Europe, including France. Currently, peat supply for the European horticulture industry is dominated by Germany.


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Chart 7: Horticultural peat production (100%=23million m3)

36%

14%8%7%6%

6%

5%

6% 12%GermanyEstoniaUKIRLLatvia

SwedenRussiaFinlandOthers

There are no new peat extraction sites available in Germany and many sites will become exhausted in the coming decade. In Great Britain at least two thirds of the indigenous peat supply will, it is thought, become unavailable in the relatively short term due to European nature conservation designations. It is the case therefore that about 44% of Europe’s peat supply comes from two countries where output is in steep decline. It is likely that peat production will be increased over the next few years in the Baltic States. However, it is the desire of these states that peat production is managed in a sustainable way and in accordance with the principles of the “Wise Use” of peatlands (Joosten and Clarke [Ed.], 2002). It is, for example, the policy in Estonia that the industry may not utilise more than 1% of the country’s extensive peatlands. Ultimately this will restrict output in these countries. This together with the entry of the Baltic States to the EU will mean that the cost of peat, and hence growing media, may well rise over the next few years. Peat production in Ireland, it is thought will remain constant over the next five to ten years. If the price of peat increases then the opportunities for the use of composted materials will also increase.

10.2 Prospects for regionalisation of growing media supply We have seen that the prospects for inclusion of composted materials in growing media produced in England are very good. However, we have also seen that about two thirds of growing media consumed in the UK is produced outside Great Britain. As the industry becomes more dependent upon imported materials and, if the cost of peat rises, then the traditional model of the growing media factory located close to the substrate source and serving a national market may no longer be the optimum solution. It is likely that over the next few years’ production may become more regionalised, possibly with growing media manufacturers operating more than one site or engaging a series of contractors. These sites will be carefully chosen so as to minimise the end-to-end substrate cost. Should growing media manufacturing operations migrate to the highly populated areas of England then there is significant further opportunity for the inclusion of composted waste into growing media. It is envisaged that this would arise as a result of closer co-operation between the waste collectors and the growing media manufacturing industry. Large scale composting operations on the same site as the growing media manufacturing may well, in future, replace sites currently located at the edge of former peat extraction sites in England or sites currently located in Northern Ireland. It should be recognised, however, that such a wholesale change of location of major industry will not happen overnight. It is also the case that there will be a degree of resistance to this change from a number of sources outwith the industry. The relative merits of increasing the use of waste materials versus


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relocating jobs away from Objective One areas in South Yorkshire, Northern Ireland and Cumbria to the affluent South East will require further discussion.

11 Conclusions and recommendations The authors have identified the extent of the growing media manufacturing industry and the main compost producing sites in the UK. Only 68,000m3 of green compost was used for proprietary growing media manufacture in 2002 and the principle barriers to large-scale uptake of composted materials are technical and logistical. This report has dealt with the supply position and economic factors; other work currently commissioned by WRAP deals with the technical issues. In any event the experience of the retail growing media industry in Europe shows that economic factors will ultimately prevail. Retail GM in France, for example, already contain upwards of 60% non-peat materials - largely because France has never had any substantial indigenous peat deposits. Our survey has shown that of 297,000m3 of suitably graded green compost produced in 2002, 231,000 m3

were sold into the soil improver market. However, under the present commercial circumstances and low level of Landfill Tax there is no great incentive for producers of this material to invest in improved quality and to “shift markets”. Soil improvers command much the same retail, and hence wholesale, prices as growing media. Nevertheless, there remains considerable potential to increase the uptake of composted materials by the growing media industry. The principle barriers that need to be overcome to realise this potential are:

The location of growing media manufacturing sites in mainly rural, former and current peat producing areas that are away from centres of population and hence waste sources. The fact that over 60% of growing media consumed in the UK is currently produced on the island of Ireland. The density of composted materials compared to their competitive material i.e. peat. The current three stage supply chain for composted materials versus two stage for some other substrates.

Over the next three years a further 200,000 m3 of material said to be of the appropriate quality for inclusion in growing media will be made available. If green compost producers can produce this material at the necessary source cost, taking into account the end-to-end logistics costs, it is feasible that all of this can be absorbed into retail growing media produced in England. Overall this would account for about 29% of English made retail growing media, although still less than 8% of all growing media consumed in the UK (based on ODPM figures for 2001). The future viability of composted materials will also be influenced by the availability and price of imported peat. The continuing decline in availability of UK peat and German peat will lead to increasing dependence upon peat from Ireland, the Baltic States and Scandinavia. Peat available from these sources however is not infinite as these countries endorse and adopt the principles of the “Wise Use” of peatlands (Joosten and Clarke [Ed], 2002). The elevated density of composted green waste materials, over three times that of imported Baltic peat for example, will always be a handicap to its wide spread use. However, the use of other, perhaps more consistent, feedstocks such as wood waste may reduce the density of the composted materials when


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composted alone or in combination with other wastes. Paradoxically, as UK peat further declines in availability, the very light nature of some imported peat may require heavier material to be incorporated in order to produce a product that is acceptable to the consumer. It is clear that, with the current supply chain, green compost producers need to reduce source cost to the growing media manufacturing industry in order to compete with competitor substrates. Apart from the influence of the Landfill Tax and gate fees, the scale of the composting operation will have an effect. Waste industry sources suggest that it is likely that only larger processors operating sites composting at least 25,000 tonnes per annum of green waste will be able to invest in the necessary machinery, monitoring and testing required to ensure the production of consistently higher quality materials. The most significant area for change, however, is if composting is done on site or very close to the growing media manufacturers’ factories. This has the potential to completely alter the economic viability of composted materials in growing media. Increases in the cost of peat and the cost of distribution may lead to regionalisation of growing media supply which in turn leads to opportunities for the much larger scale use of composted materials as plants are relocated nearer to, or more likely adjacent to, compost production sites – particularly in SE England. Whilst such developments are clearly welcome in respect of increasing the viability and use of composted materials, they are long term and may come at a socio-economic cost. Possible further work: Wood waste, in its many forms, may prove to be an important resource for the growing media industry due to its more consistent sources and its potential for producing a lower density product. A similar study of the potential in this area may prove beneficial. This study has concentrated on the availability of composted materials from existing and proposed composting sites. The potential for major gains in usage of such materials, the authors believe, lies in co-operation between the growing media industry and the waste producers/collectors. Further work that identifies the volumes of suitable wastes at source and compares them with geographical distribution of consumers of growing media would identify the true long term potential.

References • Joosten H. and Clarke D. (Ed.), 2002, The Wise Use of Mires and Peatlands, Background and

Principles including a Framework for Decision-making, International Peat society and International Mires Conservation Group, Finland

• BS EN 12580:2000, Soil improvers and growing media – Determination of a quantity, BSI, London

• Bohlin, 2002, Data on the Use of Growing Media Constituents In: G Schmilewski and L Rochefort (ed.) Peat in Horticulture – Quality and Environmen al Challenges – Proceedings of the International Peat Symposium, Parnu, 2002, International Peat Society, Finland: p. 144-150

t

• Department of the Environment, 1995, Mineral Planning Guidance 13: Guidelines for Peat Provision in England Including the Place of Alternative Materials, Department of the Environment, London

• ODPM, 2003, Monitoring of Peat and Alternative Products for Growing Media and Soil Improvers in the UK 2001, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, London (www.planning.odpm.gov.uk/mpapgmsi/index.htm)

• PAS 100:2002, Publicly Available Specification for composted materials, BSI, London

• PD CR 13456: 1999, Published Document, CEN Report, Soil improvers and growing media – Labelling, specifications and product schedules, BSI London


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Compost and growing media manufacturing Septe

Map 1: Geographical distribution of UK retail growing media manufacturing sites Band A Band B Band C Band D

Scotland

Northern Ireland

North West

Wales

m

South East

South West

ber 2002

North East

32

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Map 2: Geographical distribution of UK professional growing media manufacturing sites Band A Band B Band C Band D

Scotland

N. Ireland

North West North East

Wales

South East

South West

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Map 3: Geographical distribution of surveyed compost production sites in the UK

Scotland

North East

North West

Compost and growing media manufacturing Sept

Wales

South East

South West

I l dNorthern

ember 2002 34

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Appendix 1: Growing media manufacturing contacts

Retail growing media manufacturing sites

Company Location Band Technical /commercial

Telephone number

contact North East region The Scotts Company (UK) Ltd

Thorne, South Yorkshire

A Eric Dam +33 472866700

William Sinclair Horticulture

Lincoln C Chris Turner 01522 537561

ASB Greenworld

Long Sutton, Lincolnshire

C Ian Court 01406 350167

South region

Church Farm Horticulture

Meare, Somerset

D Nick Temple-Heald

01458 860531

E.J. Godwin (Peat Industries) Ltd.

Burtle, Somerset

D Andrew Rowland

01458 860644

Durstons Peat Products

Ashcott, Somerset

D Chris Durston

01458 442688

Other Somerset producers

C Refer to GMA website www.growingmedia.co.uk (under construction)

Wessex Horticulture

Salisbury, Wiltshire

D Stan Mernagh

01722 337744

North West region William Sinclair Horticulture

Boothby, Cumbria

B Chris Turner 01522 537561

White Moss Horticulture Ltd.

Kirby, Merseyside

D Graeme Eardley

0151 547 2979

L&P Peat Longtown, Cumbria

C Jonathon Cox 01228 522181

Joseph Metcalf Ltd.

Accrington/ Astley, Lancashire

C Richard Grice

01942 896668


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Northern Ireland

Bulrush Horticulture

Magherafelt, Co Derry

C Neil Bragg 02879 366855

Westland Horticulture Ltd.


A Jamie Robinson

02887 727500

Growmore Coalisland, Co Tyrone

D Marino Fresch

02838 852346



D P McCuskey 02887 740950

Professional growing media manufacturing sites

Company Location Band Technical Telephone contact Number Eastern region The Scotts Company (UK) Ltd.

Thorne, South Yorkshire

A Eric Dam +33 472866700

Petersfield Cosby, Leicester

D Ryan Hewitt 01162 867029

Premium Horticulture

Thorne, Doncaster

D John Hedley 01302 350204

North West region William Sinclair Horticulture

Boothby, Cumbria

A Chris Turner 01522 537561

White Moss Peat Kirby, Merseyside

D Graeme Eardley

0151 547 2979

L&P Peat Longtown, Cumbria

C Jonathon Cox 01228 522181

Joseph Metcalf Ltd.

Accrington/ Astley Lancashire

C Richard Grice 01942 896668


Research Report

Northern Ireland

Bulrush Horticulture Ltd.

Magherafelt, Co Derry

A Neil Bragg 02879 366855

Westland Horticulture Ltd.


B Jamie Robinson

02887 727500



D P McCuskey 02887 740950

South region

Roffey Ltd. Bournemouth, Dorset

D 01202 537777

Wessex Horticulture

Salisbury, Wiltshire

D Stan Mernagh 01722 337744

Vapogro Newhaven, East Sussex

D David O’nions

01273 611461


Research Report

Appendix 2: Green compost producer survey form, February 2003 (Please return by Friday 14 February at the latest)

Company

Contact details

Site(s)

Postcode

County

WM Licence

GW input 000's MT pa

Comments

000'sMT pa

2002 2003 2005+

Source(s) of

Greenwaste

Composting System

Composting (weeks)

Maturation (weeks)

Green Compost Output 000's m3 pa. (0-10/12 mm suitable for GM use)

% of 2002 Output sold for Growing

Composting Standard or Accreditation

2002 2003 2005+ Media incorporation

full Name: company

Position:

address

Tel:

Fax:E-mail:

Notes: Please give separate data for each site processing at least 10K input MT in 2002 - indicate the nearest town, postcode and the county to enable these to be mapped

Please quote the scale of the WM Licence to indicate the potential for the site and indicate where operating with an Exemption


Research Report

Please list only sites where the GW is uncontaminated with kitchen waste and is principally from CA sites (+ inspected green bins?) as 'clean' material is preferred

Please indicate what standard or accreditation you have or have applied for

Please quote the output (in cubic metres) of GW in the 0-10 or12 mm range only (as this is the grade with most potential and relatively few sticks); exclude top dressing or mulching material as this is not the subject of this study and is of no use to Growing Media producers Please give the proportion of material in the correct grade that has been sold to Growing Media manufacturers for use specifically in Growing Media; exclude top dressing or mulching material as this is not the subject of this study. Please give actual data for last year plus estimates for the processing this year and two years hence to illustrate growth

If you do not currently grade @ 0-10 or 12mm would you be willing to install the necessary screens? (please delete YES/NO as appropriate)…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

YES or NO

Confidentiality: This information is assumed to be based on publicly available information unless otherwise stated and may be made public by WRAP unless you specifically state that it is 'confidential'.

Data Protection: (please delete YES/NO as appropriate)

Do you give your permission for your details to be kept on file for the purposes of this project? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

YES or NO

Would you like to be kept informed on WRAP’s activities in the future? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

YES or NO

WRAP would like to keep the information you have provided for future reference. Do you give your permission to use the data for relevant future work? …………………………………………………………………………

YES or NO


Research Report

Appendix 3: Green compost producer survey, February 2003 - Sites and inputs by supplier

Company Contact details Site Postcode County Region WMLicence

GW input 000's MT pa

Source(s) of

Locations 000's MTpa

2002 2003 2005+

Greenwaste

Biffa Waste Services Ltd. Name: Phil Conran Poplars/Stafford

WS11 3EQ Staffs. NW Eng. 14 14 25 35 CA only

Coronation Road Position: Composting Manager?

Isle of White PO30 2PD I.O.W. SE Eng. 22 9 9 10 CA & Community

Cressex Tel: 07710 630512 High Wycombe Fax: Bucks, HP12 3TZ E-mail: [email protected]

Cleanaway Ltd. Name: David Nicholson Pitsea SS16 4UW Essex SE Eng. 25 < 45 25 35 45 CA sites+ k'bsideRainham Landfill Position: Compost

Development Manager Rainham RM13 9DA Essex SE Eng. 'Unlimited' 40 40 50 CA sites+ k'bside

Coldharbour Lane off Ferry Lane

Tel: 01708 632202

Rainham

Fax: 01708 524612

Essex RM13 9DA E-mail: [email protected]

Conwy County Council Name: Tony Sykes Dolgarrog Conwy Valley

Conwy Wales Exempt 8 8 15 CA and other GW

The Civic offices Position: Waste Strategy manager Glan y don Tel: 01492 575338 Abergele RD Fax: 01492 575345 Colwyn Bay E-mail: [email protected] Conwy Ll29 8AR.


Research Report

Cory Environmental [Glos] Ltd

Name: Glynn Ricketts Hempsted GL2 5FR Gloucs. SW Eng. 1 10 11 12.5 CA sites+ k'bside

Hempstead Lane Position: Technical Manager Gloucester Tel: 01242 680 916 GL2 5FR Fax:

E-mail: [email protected]

County Mulch Ltd. Name: John Jardine Stanton IP31 2BQ Suffolk SE Eng. 75 22 30 75 CA sites+ k'bsideThe Watering Farm Position: Managing director Creeting IP6 8ND Suffolk SE Eng. 25 10 13 20 CA sites Creeting St. Mary Tel: 01449 721729 Ipswich Fax: 01449 722477 Suffolk E-mail: [email protected] 8ND

Crown Estates Name: Graham Sanderson Windsor N/A Berkshire SE Eng. N/A 1.5 N/A N/A N/A Position: not given

full address not given Tel: 01753 860222 Fax: E-mail: [email protected]

Dundee City Council Name: Peter Goldie Dundee NA Angus Scotland 7.5 3.8 3.5 8 CA & kerbside 34 Harefield Rd, P.O. Waste Management. Dundee Tel: 01382 432719 DD2 3JW Fax: 01382 432746


ECO Composting Ltd. Name: Trelawny Dampney Christchurch BH23 6BG Dorset SW Eng. 35 < 60 35 40 60 CA sites only? Chapel Lane Position: Managing

Director Dorchester ? Dorset SW Eng. 10 0 10 10 CA sites only?

Parley Tel: 01202 593601 Christchurch Fax: 01202 581119 Dorset E-mail: [email protected] BH23 6BG

EQ Waste Management Name: Ray Wills St Albans AL2 3NL Herts. SE Eng. 57 34 37 57 80% CA blended

Appspond Lane Position: Technical Manager w. separated GWPotters Crouch Tel: 08705 602060 St Albans Fax: 01727 867 866 Herts E-mail: [email protected]


Research Report

Greenacre Plusgrow Compost

Name: Mr John Davison Blackpool FY6 8JE Lancs. NW Eng. 30 8 12 19 K'side & CC collect

Blackpool Position: not stated Tel: 01253 883238 Fax: as 'phone E-mail: [email protected]

Heatherlands Ltd. Name: Michael Lunnon Ongar CM15 0LD Essex SE Eng. 75 32 40 ? CA Sites Hallsford Bridge Ind. Position: Director Estate. Tel: 01277 363161 Stondon Road Fax: 01277 364410 Ongar. Essex. CM5 9RB E-mail: [email protected]

Company X SW Eng. Exempt 12 15 24 CA sites

Jack Moody Holdings plc Name: Robert Moody W'hampton WV10 7LX Staffs. NW Eng. 60 47 50 55 CA sites+ k'bsideHollybush Farm Position: Managing

Director Telford ? Shrops. NW Eng. 50 0 10 40 CA sites+ k'bside

Warstone Road Tel: 01922 417648 Shareshill Fax: 01922 413420 Wolverhampton E-mail: [email protected] 7LX

LAS Waste Ltd Name: Mark Saunders LampeterTregaron Road Position: General Manager see Vital Earth Lampeter Tel: 01570 421421 Ceredigion Fax: 01570 423536 Swansea E-mail: [email protected] SA48 8LT

London Waste Ltd Name: Mr John Clark Edmonton N18 3AG London SE Eng. 0 0 0 0 MunicipalEnergy from Waste Plant Waste Services Department Advent Way Tel: 020 8803 1322 Edmonton Fax: 020 8884 5500 London N18 3AG E-mail: [email protected]


Research Report

Mersey Waste Holding Group

Name: Andy Williams Haddocks Wood

WA7 Cheshire NW Eng. Exempt 0.95 1 1.2 CA sites+ k'bside

Port of Liverpool Building Position: Recycling Manager Working plan Pierhead Tel: 0151 2550044 in preparation Liverpool L3 1BY Fax: 0151 255 0010


Natural World Products Name: Mr Caolan Woods Keady BT60 3RA Armagh N. Ireland 65 14.9 20 35 Councils N. Ireland

55 Cargaclougher Road Position: Director & Production Manager

Belfast ? Antrim N. Ireland ? 4 6 10 Belfast Council

Keady, Tel: 028 3753 1591 Co. Armagh, Fax: 028 3753 9426 Northern Ireland, E-mail: [email protected] BT60 3RA

Norfolk Env. Waste Services Ltd.

Name: Stuart Reynolds Mayton Wood NR10 5JH Norfolk NE Eng. 15 12 15 30 Household, CA

51, Norwich Road, Position: Operations Manager Horsham St Faith Tel: 01603 891892 Norwich Fax: 01603 891273 NR10 3HH E-mail: [email protected]

Olus Environmental Ltd Name: Dave Ansell Burgess Hill BN5 W Sussex SE Eng. 25 11 12 12 95% CA, LA etc. Winterpick Business Park Position: Director Hurstpeirpoint Road Tel: 01273 494040 Wineham, Nr Henfield Fax: 01273 493088 W. Sussex BN5 1BJ E-mail: [email protected]

Onyx Envr. Group plc Name: Peter Mills Basingstoke RG25 2NS Hants. SE Eng. 25 < 70 20 20 40 90% CA sites Poles Lane Position: UK composting

Man. Winchester SO30 6RQ Hants. SE Eng. 35 28 30 32 90% CA sites

Otterbourne Tel: 01962 764000 Fareham PO16 8RT Hants. SE Eng. 35 20 20 10 90% CA sites Winchester Fax: 01962 715693 Hants. SO21 2EA E-mail: [email protected]


Research Report

Organic Recycling Limited Name: Andrew Riddington Crowland PE6 0JD Lincolnshire

NE Eng. 25 6 8 12 CA sites

Poplars Farm Position: MD Cloot Drove Tel: 01733 211666 Crowland Fax: 01733 211393 PE6 0JD E-mail: [email protected]

Organic Waste Recycling Name: Mr Robert Delaney Newtonards BT23 7SZ N. Ireland N. Ireland Yes 6 10 15 CA sites 161 Quarry Heights Position: Proprietor North Road Tel: 028 91 822172 Newtonards Fax: 028 91 812514

E-mail: [email protected] Mobile: 07702 627831

Premier Waste Name: Gary Whitehead Coxhoe DH6 4RT Co. Durham

NE Eng. 20 8 10 15 K'side, CA and hort.

Prospect House Recycling & Commercial Director Aykley Heads Business Centre Tel: 0191 384 4000 Aykley Heads Fax: 0191 384 5869 Durham E-mail: [email protected] DH1 5TS

Severn Waste Services Name: Michael Hornby Throckmorton WR10 2PW Worcs SW Eng. 25 21 22 20 CA Sites 106 High St Position: site Manager Evesham Tel: 01386 862702 WR11 4EL Fax: 01386 861556


Shanks Name: Jo Fitzpatrick Peterborough PE1 3TD Cambs NE Eng. 25 11.2 15 20 CA Only Dunedin House Position: Commercial

Composting Manager Bletchley MK17 0AB Bucks SE Eng. 30 21.7 7 10 CA Only

Auckland Park Tel: 07773 813111 Calvert MK18 2HF Bucks SE Eng. 30 2 20 30 CA Only Mount Farm Fax: 01327 310925 Milton Keynes E-mail: [email protected] MK1 1BU


Research Report

SITA UK Name: Dr Stephen Wise Lount LE65 1SD Leics. NW Eng. 25 25 25 25 CA sites+ k'bsideLount Composting Facility Position: UK Composting

Manager Kibworth LE8 0RB Leics. NE Eng. 15 15 15 15 CA sites

Nottingham Road Tel: 01530 413558 Preston PR4 5QH Lancs. NW Eng. 75 20 20 25 CA sites Lount Fax: ? nr. Ashby de la Zouche E-mail: [email protected] Leicestershire LE65 1SD

Tarmac Recycling Ltd. Name: Niall Cormac-

Walshe Paisley KA3 4EH Ayrshire Scotland 12 3 3 ? Local contractors

Millfields Road Position: Composting Projects Manager

Livingston EH55 8DD WstLothian

Scotland 12 4 6 ? Local Council

Ettingshall Tel: 07836 675498 Edinburgh EH18 1HN Mid Lothian

Scotland Exempt 2 ? ? Local Council

Wolverhampton Fax: 01902 408870 WV4 6JP E-mail: [email protected]

Tree Fella plc Name: Jonathan Steward Shoeburyness SS3 9TR Essex SE Eng. 5 5 7.5 12.5 CA, kerbside, etc.Stewards Yard Position: MD Others sought Wakering road Tel: 01702 216 766 Shoeburyness Fax: 01702 216765 Essex E-mail: [email protected] 9TR

Viridor Waste Man. Ltd Name: Richard Jenkins Ipswich IP10 0HT Suffolk SE Eng. 20 15 20 20 CA and trade Great Western House Position: Bid Manager Station Approach Tel: 01823 721 400 Taunton Fax: 01823 334027 Somerset, TA1 1QW E-mail: [email protected]


Research Report

Vital Earth Ltd. Name: John Winslow Lampeter SA48 8LT Ceredigion

Wales 11 0 8 8 K'side, CA & l'scape

Lion House Position: Chairman Sutton TF9 2HZ Shropshire

NW Eng. 20 0 4 4 K'side, CA & l'scape

Bethel Square Tel: 01874 611917 Prees SY13 2BT Shropshire

NW Eng. 20 0 4 11 K'side, CA & l'scape

Brecon Fax: 01874 610661 Camarthen TBA Camar'shire

Wales 20 0 4 4 K'side, CA & l'scape

Powys E-mail: [email protected] 9BR

Waste Recycling Group plc Name: Rob Chaddock Chester CH2 4JP Cheshire - Unspecified

15 ? ? CA & kerbside

3 Sidings Court Position:Commercial Manager

Crewe CW1 5NG Cheshire NW Eng. Unspecified


White Rose Way Barton House Wakefield WF6 2JA W. Yorks NE Eng. Unspecified


Doncaster Darland Lane Langar NG13 9JN Notts NE Eng. Unspecified


DN4 5NU Lavister Sunbridge TN14 6EP Kent SE Eng. Unspecified


Tel: 01302 303030 Wrexham Chertsey KT16 0AR Surrey SE Eng. Unspecified


For Sales contact Ian Sweatman

LL12 0EL Canterbury CT4 0TR Kent SE Eng. Unspecified


Business Development Manager

Tel: 01244 572500 Boston PE21 7AA Lincs. NE Eng. Unspecified


Tel: 01732 871531 Fax: 01244 579200 Mob: 07970 456810 E-mail: [email protected] Worton Park Composting Name: Mrs Pauline Nelson Cassington OX29 4SU Oxon SW Eng. 32 11 15 20 C.A. sites &

l'scapers Cassington Pit Position: Prdouct & Office Manager min Off A40 Tel: 01865 882644 Oxford Fax: 01865 884498 OX29 4SU E-mail: [email protected]

TOTAL 1023.5 739 736 972TOTAL for sites with data for all years 556 687 972


Research Report

Appendix 4: Green compost producer survey, February 2003 - Process, accreditations and outputs by supplier

Company Site Composting

Composting

Maturation

External Green Compost Output 000's m3 pa.

% of 2002 Output <12mm

000's m3

Comments

Location(s) Composting

(0-10/12 mm suitable for GM use)

sold for Growing Media

sold for GM

Standardor

2002 2003 2005+ incorp. bymanufacturer

2002

Accreditation

Biffa Waste Services Ltd.

Poplars/Stafford

Windrows

14 12 PAS 100* 0 0 ? 0 0 In-vessel from 2004

Isle of White

Windrow 16-20 N/A None 4 6 7 0 0 Expanding in 2003

Cleanaway Ltd. Pitsea Open

Windrow 10-14 <4 HDRA, TCA 15 18 22 0 0 Soil Improver and

Top Soil Rainham Open

Windrow 10-14 <4 HDRA, TCA 20 20 25 0 0 Apex Group

Conwy County Council

Dolgarro

g

Open Windrow

14 variable

None 2 2 3 0 0 Unable to sell product due to

exemption. Productis used for

agricultural groundand council

projects

Cory Environmental [Glos] Ltd

Hempsted

Open Windrow

24 8 N/A 0 0 Used for site restoration; exempt


Research Report

County Mulch Ltd.

Stanton In-vessel 4 8 None 0 0 0 0 0

Creeting Openwindrow

12 inwindro

w

None 5 6.5 10 0 0

Crown Estates Windsor N/A N/A N/A N/A 1 N/A N/A 0 0 Small scale for Internal use only

Dundee City Council

Dundee OpenWindrow

18-20 6 None 0 0 ? 0 0 <10mm screened to order but

problems at high moisture levels

ECO Composting Ltd.

Christchurch

Open Windrow

16 2 SA,PAS100*

20 20 20 10 2 2 S'rset GMs + Roffey supplied

Dorchester

Open Windrow

16 2 SA,PAS100*

0 6 6 0 0 2003 Start

EQ Waste Management

St Albans

Open Windrow

10 3-4 SA,PAS100*

20 24 33 0 0 Growers &manufacturer trials

Greenacre Plusgrow Compost

Blackpool

not given 2 4 SA 3 4.5 12 0 0 Rtnd. to CC for parks. gardens etc.

Heatherlands Ltd.

Ongar Openwindrows

4 4 None 10 ? ? 0 0

Company X Static pile

& 10 2 PAS 100* 0 0 0 0 0 Currently working

under exemption windrows (for All product to landfill

restoration PAS 100 trials)


Research Report

Jack Moody Holdings plc

W'hampton

Open Windrow

12-16 12-24 TCA, PAS 100*

31 33 37 80 25 Supplies Gem,growers & own nsry.

Telford OpenWindrow

? ? PAS 100* 0 7 27 0 0 New site for 2003

LAS Waste Ltd see Vital Earth

London Waste Ltd

Edmonton

None on site.

N/A N/A N/A 0 0 0 0 0 Transfer site only

Mersey Waste Holding Group

Haddocks Wood

Open windrow

14 4 None 0.95 1 1.2 0 0

Natural World Products

Keady Enclosed/aerated

4 6 PAS 100* 7.5 12 28 25 1.9

Belfast OpenWindrow

10 6 None 0 3 8 0 0

Norfolk Env. Waste Services Ltd.

Mayton Wood

In-vessel (CRS)

3 6 to 8 None 9 10 15 100 9 Has supplied ASB

Olus Environmental Ltd

Burgess Hill

Open Windrow

14 4-5 SA 1 1.5 2.5 0 0 Bulk goes for mulch

Onyx Envr. Group plc

Basingstoke

Open Windrow

20-24 1-2 SA, HDRA 16 16 32 15 2.4 Increase from 04

Winchester

Open Windrow

20-24 1-2 SA, HDRA 22 24 26 15 3.4 Supplies Roffey

Fareham OpenWindrow

20-24 1-2 SA, HDRA 16 16 8 15 2.4 Apex Group


Research Report

Organic Recycling Limited

Crowland

Windrow 12 40 SA(restricted)

2 2.5 4.5 30 0.6

Organic Waste Recycling

Newtonards

Open Windrow

12-16 4 ECO-labelstd

5 8 12.5 0 0 Better margins from L'scape Archts.

Premier Waste Coxhoe Windrow 10 5 PAS 100* 4 16 16 0 0 75% bagged as Soil

Improver

Severn Waste Services

Throckmorton

Open Windrow

12 <32 SA 15 16 13 0 0 Maturation timedepends on sales

Shanks Peterbor

ough Open

Windrow 16 8 - 24 None 8.8 9 15 0 0

Bletchley OpenWindrow

N/A N/A N/A 0 0 0 0 0 Shredding &Despatch Site Only

Calvert OpenWindrow

16 4 - 12 None 0 6 10 0 0 Exempt, license pending

SITA UK Lount Open

windrow 12 4 HDRA, SA,

PAS100* 15 15 15 90 13.5 Supplies 3 GM

manufacturers Kibworth Open

windrow 12 4 HDRA, SA,

PAS100* 8 10 10 100 8.3 Supplies 3 GM

manufacturers Preston Open windrow 0 0 0 0 0 Co-composted

Tarmac Recycling Ltd.

Paisley Windrow 10 16-26 None 0 0 ? nil -siterestoration SI

0 Tannery, green & wood waste

Livingston

Windrow 10-12 16-26 None 3 3 ? 0 0 Tree plantingmedium

Edinburgh

Windrow 10-12 16-26 None 0 ? ? nil -siterestoration SI

0 Incorporating intorestoration


Research Report

Tree Fella plc Shoeburyness

Open Windrow

dependent on product

None not given notgiven

not given

0 0 <10mm product=PAS 100 std?

Others sought goes to topsoil manufacture

Viridor Waste Man. Ltd

Ipswich Windrow 14 8 None 1 1 3 0 0 Only one site over 10K input

Vital Earth Ltd. Lampete

r In-Vessel 1 1 or 6-

8 HDRA,

PAS100* 0 12 12 0 0 Site is worked with

LAS Waste Sutton In-Vessel 1 1 or 6-

8 HDRA,

PAS100* 0 6 6 0 0

Prees In-Vessel 1 1 or 6-8

HDRA, PAS100*

0 6 16 0 0

Camarthen

In-Vessel 1 1 or 6-8

HDRA, PAS100*

0 0 6 0 0

Waste Recycling Group plc

Chester Openwindrow

To suit market requirement

TCA 0 ? ? 0 0

Crewe Openwindrow


TCA* 0 ? ? 0 0

Wakefield

Open windrow


TCA* 0 ? ? 0 0

Langar Openwindrow


0 ? ? 0 0

Sunbridge

Open windrow


SA, HDRA, TCA*

10 ? ? 0 0

Chertsey Openwindrow


SA, HDRA, TCA*

20 ? ? 0 0

Canterbury

Open windrow


0 ? ? 0 0

Boston Openwindrow


0 ? ? 0 0


Research Report


Worton Park Composting

Cassington

Open Windrow

12-20 SA 1.4 2 2.5 0 0

TOTAL 297 343 463 68TOTAL for sites with data for all years

* Applic. in-process

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