DEFRA, the Environment Agency and the Composting Association met with a number of potential contractors last week to discuss the tender for a comprehensive risk assessment into the use of composting to dispose of catering waste in relation to the Animal By-Products Order. The risk assessment will decide whether it is possible to compost kitchen waste and if so to what standard.
But the delay in making a decision about composting catering wastes is not helping composters and suppliers who are concerned about the future of the industry. One equipment manufacturer said: “We are seeing a lot of indecision with local authorities over how they should develop their composting schemes. This decision could make or break the whole industry.”
The decision to carry out a risk assessment was made at a meeting between DEFRA, the Environment Agency and the Composting Association in July. The meeting tried to resolve some of the confusion which arose in June when the Environment Agency and DEFRA gave conflicting advice on the composting of kitchen waste.
Following last week's meeting, DEFRA has asked potential contractors to submit a full tender for the project and is working on letting the tender as quickly as possible. A consultant should be chosen in the next couple of weeks and then composting experts will be consulted as part of the assessment process. DEFRA is also likely to set up a steering committee to review the work of the consultancy.
Sue Boulton, of DEFRA, said: “We are dealing with the risk assessment into composting and catering waste as a mater of priority and when we have agreed on a contractor we will push it forward as rapidly as possible.”
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