The Minister for the Environment is the latest official to try to clarify the situation after The Guardian and Metro ran stories at the beginning of May suggesting that domestic compost heaps could need a licence. They also said that failure to have a licence was punishable with a 5,000 fine.
Speaking at a House of Commons debate, Mr Meacher stated: “The waste management licensing requirements under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 do not apply to householders dealing with their own household waste, including domestic compost heaps, on their own property.”
Last week, Margaret Beckett made a statement confirming that home compost heaps did not need a licence, adding: “composting is one of the best ways of getting value from biodegradable waste and it is something the government very strongly support”.
And the day after the Guardian article, the Environment Agency had been quick to point out: “Reports in the media that householders need licences for their compost heaps are absolute rubbish.”
Subscribe for free