Barriers to growth discussed at first ORG meeting

The group, which is the trade body for organics recyclers, was created through the merger of the Association for Organics Recycling (AfOR) and the Renewable Energy Association at the start of 2013.

At the meeting, delegates discussed roadblocks to growth and also heard about ORGs activities, legislation, end of waste and health and safety.

Six roadblocks to growth were identified at the meeting, which was chaired by Alexander Maddan, chief executive of organics recycling firm Agrivert. They were: odour; pressure from regulators; expectations of regulators and quality vs. gate fees; bioaerosols; contamination; and, the creation of a level playing field both commercial and regulatory. ORG said it would address the roadblocks as a matter of priority to assist the sector.

There are a number of routes to solving the challenges, according to ORG, including the development of industry working groups, engaging with opposing stakeholders and setting quality standards.

Discussing the challenges, Jeremy Jacobs, technical director of ORG, said: The morning was concluded with a discussion on industry roadblocks and what the ORG needs to address as a matter of priority to assist the sector if we are to continue to make progress and grow in line with Government expectations. Alexander Maddan made the point that as a sector, we provide excellent value for money recycling 42% of the nations municipal waste at the lowest gate fees, if we are to flourish regulation needs to be proportionate to the risk.

End of Waste

Also at the meeting, Richard Parsons, Defras sector lead for anaerobic digestion and biowaste, provided members with an update on the End of Waste for biowaste and the impact it may have on the industry in the future. However, ORG said the outcome of the work was still unclear.

Mr Parsons said there had been extensive lobbying by the UK and other member states, with a significant number against the inclusion of outputs from mechanical biological treatment facilities and sewage sludge as appropriate inputs.

He added that the JRC technical working group is set to meet on February 26 with the final report anticipated to be submitted to the European Commission in April or May 2013.
Presentations were also given by ORG technical staff on the developments regarding both PAS 100 and 110 certification schemes, the compostable packaging certification scheme, health and safety activities and news on the Industrial Emissions Directive.

ORGs steering committee consist of: Alexander Maddan; Mike Orr, executive director for TEG; Charlie Trousdell, planning, estates & licensing manager at Countrystyle Group; Ed Bastow, managing director for Material Change; Jim Frederickson, from the Open University; Bill Griffiths, national organics and recycling manager at Viridor; and, Philippa Yates. The committee will meet on a quarterly basis.