In response, Felicity Richards of Cornwall-based organics, wood and plastics recycling firm The Green Waste Company, writes of her own experience since the Environment Agency forbade the use of street swept leaves in compost in 2012.
Dear letsrecycle.com,
It was with great interest I read your article on the results of the street sweepings trial conducted in Surrey.
As a company that has been open windrow composting for over 16 years, a leaf sweeping collection has been composted in our green waste compost from the time we opened our facility. During this time we have had no issues with failing tests from PAHs, or problems with compost application, probably influenced by the process, the dilution factor and the nature of the input material (as it is collected in rural locations). We pride ourselves on producing top quality compost with PAS 100 accreditation.
Following the change in legislation, the volumes through the gate dropped because of the tonnages of sweepings which were then diverted to landfill.
We agree that this change is likely to have influenced a downwards trend in recycling rates and escalate costs for hard pressed councils facing harsh budgetary choices.
We are refreshed to see the results of this trial which we hope will be useful in making a case to the Environment Agency for a return to the composting of sweepings through open windrow composting sites.
Regards
Felicity Richards
The Green Waste Company
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