But commenting on its annual survey of the composting industry, the Composting Association said the UK desperately needs more in-vessel treatment facilities to meet European landfill targets.
The Association called on the government to provide more support to composters investing in in-vessel processing plants.
 The Composting Association wants to see more composting sites with in-vessel capacity, like this recently-opened Scottish Water-owned site near Glasgow |
The survey of composters and local authorities, which was carried out by MEL Research, said the amount of organic waste (food and green waste) being composted rose from 1.97 million tonnes in 2003/04 to 2.67 million tonnes in 2004/05.
Yet with only 8% of kerbside recycling schemes now collecting food waste, the report estimated that some 4 million tonnes of food waste went to landfill instead of a composting facility in 2004/05.
The report said the length of time taken to build new plants and gain necessary veterinary approvals meant only two in-vessel facilities became operational during the survey period.
Capacity shortfall
Commenting on the findings of the survey, Composting Association chief executive Jane Gilbert said: “The survey shows that there is going to be a major capacity shortfall for composting in the UK, especially for the in-vessel plants needed to treat catering waste.
“Unless a number of new facilities are built soon, this country will not be able to meet the binding targets set for it by the EU Landfill Directive.
“We would call on government to take a good look at the work being done in this area, to support composters who want to build new sites and to help existing composters who want to expand their operations,” Ms Gilbert added.
Figures
Of all the organic waste being composted in the UK, 82% was collected by local authorities, mainly through household waste recycling sites (42% of waste) and kerbside recycling collections (29% of waste).
” We would call on government to take a good look at the work being done in this area, to support composters who want to build new sites. “
– Jane Gilbert, Composting Association
Kerbside recycling collections of green waste doubled from 2003/04 to 2004/05 to 800,000 tonnes of material collected. Most collections are fortnightly (72%).
There was, however, little change in the 430,000 tonnes of organic waste originating from commercial sources.
Industry
The report suggested that the industry now has a collected turnover of around 180 million a year, with between 2,000 and 8,000 people being employed.
Two-thirds of organic waste is now treated at dedicated, centralised composting facilities (up from 44% in 2003/04). Despite a 40% growth in on-farm processing, on-farm facilities represented just 13% of all compost processed (about 350,000 tonnes of material).
Open-air windrow sites still represent the main method of processing compost, processing 1.61 million tonnes of material – about 60% of all composted waste). Some 23% of organic waste (about 600,000 tonnes) is being treated through in-vessel facilities, with the fledgling MBT technology accounting for less than 3% of composted organic waste.
Markets
The main product organic waste is being turned into is soil conditioner (37% of composted waste), with the second main market being as a component of growing media (29%).
Landscaping and horticulture represented the main market for centralised composting facilities, using 820,000 tonnes of composted product. Agriculture represented another big user of compost – using 26% of all composted products.
Landfill engineering represents 15% of the outlet for composted waste, but the Composting Association noted a decline in this figure, suggesting that more composters now see their compost as a product to be sold, rather than a material suitable only for landfill engineering.
The Association survey also noted growth in high value markets for compost – particularly in amateur and professional horticulture, landscaping and sports turf applications.
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Ms Gilbert said: “We are extremely pleased to see the positive progress the composting industry has made over the last two years.
“Composters will be able to use the results of this survey to demonstrate to both the government and to the wider public that they make a positive contribution to both the economy and the environment,” the Association chief executive added.
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