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Compost certification group highlights low contamination

Research undertaken by the Renewable Energy Assurance Limited (REAL) has shown that 98.5% of tested compost samples and 98.1% of tested digestate samples were within the limits for physical contaminants.

Compost contamination
The research sampled compost and biofertilisers operating under REAL's certification schemes (picture: Shutterstock)

REAL, a certification administrator operating the ‘compost certification scheme’ (CCS) and ‘biofertiliser certification scheme’, released the results of its research yesterday, 6 December.

The schemes are said to provide “a framework for the independent assessment and certification for compost and anaerobic digestate”, and aim to provide assurance to consumers, farmers, food producers and retailers that quality compost is safe.

The sampling work took tests from compost and biofertilisers operating under the system, and it said it hopes it will be able to “boost consumer confidence” in the quality of its “independently certified scheme”.

CCS members include Enva Organics Recycling Ltd, Keenan Recycling and Severn Trent Green Power Group.

Plastic contamination

According to REAL, the research results showed that the level of plastics in samples is “considerably lower” than the limits required by the PAS 100 and PAS 110 standards.

The research found that plastic contamination in the majority of compost samples from its members was below 0.02% mass, with the level of total physical contaminants – including plastics – falling below 0.039 kg per tonne.

Jenny Grant, head of organics and natural capital at the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology, said: “Plastics are not wanted in food or garden waste collections. Our members put considerable effort into removing any plastics that do arrive and appropriately managing compostable plastics.

Jenny Grant, head of organics and natural capital at the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology

“This research paper from REAL is very welcome, showing that sampled composts and digestates respectively met and in the majority of cases exceeded plastics and total physical contaminants limits set out in the standards. The data will be especially useful when considering any future revisions to limits for plastics and physical contaminants in composts and digestates.”

Quality protocols

Virginia Graham, chief executive of REAL, added: “I congratulate my colleagues on carrying out this statistical analysis and on preparing this report. Consumers can take confidence that certified compost and digestate consistently meets, and in many cases exceeds, strict limits for plastic content, and that the overall failure rate in England is very low.

“I hope this report will prove useful for Environment Agency in its ongoing process of revising the Quality Protocols for compost and digestate, a process REAL is pleased to support.”

Useful links

2022 REAL Plastic contamination

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