They want to see a new standard developed for smaller composting organisations to be recognised within the new protocol.
The protocol, launched for consultation last week (see letsrecycle.com story), should mean compost produced to a certain standard losing its legal classification as a “waste”.
” It does not seem fair that I must call my compost waste when organic matter shipped at great expense outside of London will be called a product. “
– Andrew Bernard, CCN
This would mean the handling, storage and use of the composted material would not require a waste management licence or registered exemption. The move would cut administration costs for composters and improving confidence among users of compost products.
But the only standard recognised within the draft protocol is the PAS 100 standard, which most small composting organisations cannot afford to be certified by according to the Community Composting Network.
The Network said its 220 members could not afford the 2,000 annual cost to be certified under the PAS 100 standard since most are processing less than 300 tonnes of green waste each year.
As a result, their composted products will still be classified as a “waste” material – and subject to legal controls on wastes – while similar products from larger companies will be deemed not to be a waste.
Concern
The Network's co-ordinator, Nick McAllister, said: “We applaud the aims of the new Quality Protocol and the long-awaited recognition of compost as a product. However, we are extremely concerned that it does not include small local composting schemes for whom BSI PAS 100 compliance is not economically viable.”
Mr McAllister said community-scale composting organisations deal with source-separated waste close to where it is produced – reducing the need for transporting waste long distances.
He said: “We hope this issue can be addressed so that all sectors of the composting world can embrace the Protocol in the way that it deserves. We would welcome the opportunity to work with the various partners behind this initiative to develop an appropriate standard for small scale producers.”
Andrew Bernard of Aardvark Recycling, who is also the Community Composting Network's current chair, said: “At my project we are developing locally produced compost that will benefit the local residents whose organic waste we have collected.
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“It does not seem fair that I must call my compost waste when organic matter shipped at great expense outside of London will be called a product because it goes to facilities that have the economies of scale to reach BSI PAS 100. It will mean there is still a ‘waste’ stigma attached to our compost,” Mr Bernard said.
The consultation on the quality protocol for composting runs until December 1.
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