Currently, the Waste Recycling Group processes 118,000 tonnes of compost a year across six sites that are seeking accreditation.
Seven other firms are also seeking accreditation under The Composting Associations' national standard and these include:
Eco Composting, TEG Environmental, Cleanaway, Premier Waste Management, EQ Waste Management, SITA and CERT. Collectively, all eight firms process more than a quarter of a million tonnes of compost a year.
Process
However, accreditation is a process that can take up to twelve months, with composting companies required to undergo three fundamental phases before accreditation: application, an initial intensively monitored qualification phase, and maintenance monitoring
Once accredited, firms can label their bags with The Composting Association Composts’ logo, revealing that their compost has been produced according to an approved procedure and is of a high standard.
WRAP
WRAP, which is supporting the scheme through its Compost Standards Programme, has since January 2002, been helping The Composting Association to promote its Certification Scheme.
Another key aspect of the programmes’ activities is the development of a British Standards Association Publicly Available Specification for Composted Materials that builds on the existing industry standard.
Anne Riding, special projects manager at WRAP said: “An important part of ensuring that the market for composted products flourished is the development and promotion of industry standards. To see so many firms applying for the association’s accreditation is extremely promising and should spur other companies into action.”
The Composting Association launched its voluntary standards for the composting industry in May 2000. Details of the standards can be found at The Compost Association website
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