Leominster-based Bioganix believes its composting facility has the first approval in the UK from DEFRA's state veterinary service for the processing of all Category 3 wastes, which includes former foodstuffs.
New Animal By-Products regulations were brought in by the government in May 2003 following new European legislation and concerns about the spread of disease through wastes of animal origin.
The UK negotiated a transitional measure which allows “former foodstuffs of animal origin” to be sent for disposal to landfill – provided measures are taken to exclude raw meat and raw fish. However, this transitional measure is set to end in December 2005.
Other projects in the UK have been given approval for composting sites to take catering waste (see letsrecycle.com story), but managing director Nick Helmes told letsrecycle.com that Bioganix's approval is the first to allow composting of a much wider range of materials including former foodstuffs arising from the manufacturing and retail sectors.
The system uses rotary composting vessels composting material with a particle size below 12mm at temperatures above 70 degrees centigrade. The site processes about 200 tonnes of material each week – about 12,000 tonnes a year – and has so far been handling feathers from local sources.
Validation
Mr Helmes explained that as with other DEFRA approvals for composting under the Animal By-Products regulation, Bioganix's approval is temporary, and will require further validation by sampling the finished compost.
He said: “We are naturally delighted that our lengthy process of experimentation and trial work has resulted in the first system to gain this approval. We aim to continue our work on the original pilot plant and have also started discussions about further plants.
Mr Helmes added: “The ability to compost the huge tonnages of former foodstuff material that will fall under ABPR after December 2005 will be crucial; our aim is to roll this technology out across the UK via a joint ventures and licensing arrangements.”
Bioganix is a subsidiary of the 7Y farmers' co-operative, owned by 500 farms in the West of England. In the past, the company has worked with community recycler Avon Friends of the Earth to process waste from the Bather and North East Somerset area.
More information on former foodstuffs and the animal by-products regulations are available on the DEFRA website.
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