Compost prices could rise on back of Quality Protocol

The protocol is being developed to enable composters to market their material more easily, and to cut red tape. It will mean compost produced to the PAS100 standard does not have to be handled in accordance with waste regulations.

” This will be the year that composters will able to show the true value of composting to the rest of the waste management industry. “
– Peter Mills, Composting Association
Composters could have to pay up to 5,000 each year to meet the PAS100 standard – because of auditing and testing costs – which some in the sector believe could be passed on to the end user in higher compost prices.

The sector sees it as a “price worth paying”, however, if compost can be sold as a “product” rather than given away under as a “waste” to farmers with waste management licence exemptions.

“True value”
Peter Mills, the chairman of the Composting Association, said: “Composters will seek to accommodate additional costs when the protocol comes in, but the full extent of the actual cost involved won't be known until the protocol is finalized.”

Mr Mills added: “This will be the year that composters will able to show the true value of composting to the rest of the waste management industry.”

Mick Fishwick, chief executive of in-vessel specialists TEG Environmental, said: “Anything that brings quality, stability and credibility to the marketplace is likely to create a price rise and there will also be less barriers at the user end as farmers will no longer have to pay for exemptions.”

It is now thought that a final version of the Protocol will be published by the Environment Agency next month with it coming into force in the week of May 7 to coincide with National Composting Week.

The Agency and WRAP, which has also been involved in the Protocol's development, will be providing training for composters on how to implement the Protocol.

Apex
In the mean time, discussions have been held between the Agency and the backers of the Apex composting standard, which is currently not included within the Quality Protocol, concerning whether composters meeting the standard might also comply with the Protocol.

The Apex standard, which is used by companies including SITA UK and Veolia Environmental Services, is different from the PAS100 standard because it does not oblige members to set up an audit trail for material.

The Agency said that it could not be included in the Quality Protocol because it is not a publicly available standard.

However, Dr Stephen Wise, general manager of SITA Organics, said he was optimistic the standard would ultimately be included within the Quality Protocol.

He said: “The protocol has been written so that other standards can be incorporated. Although the PAS100 standard will continue to be the &#39ba;seline' standard for composters to comply, Apex is likely to be included in the final draft.”