In a world of uncertainty and turmoil, 2016 was no exception with both the national stage experiencing the most significant upset for many years with the unexpected results of the EU referendum and the global arena facing the scary prospect of Trump holding the codes for the nuclear button in the US – neither could have been or were predicted 12 months previously!
Our relatively tranquil microcosm of organics recycling thankfully has less catastrophic results when its uses are misdirected, although at times if feels as if the regulator thinks we are dealing with a more toxic substance than is actually the case! Our industry is that of a ‘problem solver’, with one person’s waste being beneficially transformed into a source of energy and fertiliser or soil improver.
Soil health
The recent progress report on climate change made to Parliament by the Climate Change Commission[i] (CCC) on reducing emissions and preparing for climate change, highlights a number of urgent steps that need to be taken in order to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts that climate change brings.
The benefits of using composts have been realised by farmers over 4,000 years. Compost plays a vital role in sustainable agricultural systems by returning nutrients to the soil and arresting the decline in soil quality. Composts help improve soil functionality and resilience, and sustain biologically diverse habitats. This can help buffer soils against the predicted increased frequency of intense rainfall events and prolonged summer droughts. Compost also contains useful nutrients which can reduce the need for artificial fertilisers and improved soil buffering capacity can reduce nitrogen leaching.
As an industry it is important that we promote this to a wider audience in order that the good work we do is recognised more widely. The report made the following comment:
‘firm measures taken to preserve the fertility and organic content of important agricultural soils, to achieve the stated goal for all soils to be sustainably managed by 2030’
The use of compost, digestate and other agricultural residues has a vital role in achieving the above objective. Both as a direct replacement for the use of artificial fertilisers but also as a means of improving soil health and increasing organic matter levels within soils which have been intensively farmed and have subsequently suffered from significant organic matter loss.
The cost of quality
One of the most significant issues which continue to plague our sector is the continued supply of ‘non-target’ material to composting and AD sites. This in essence means materials which should never have been there in the first place. Plastics in particular when shredded and spread to land, cause considerable environmental damage.
With increased pressure on available land bank, it is important that local authorities exert pressure on householders through targeted messaging to improve the quality of recyclates across all material streams; however I am under no illusions as to the enormity of this task particularly at a time when their budgets are being squeezed tighter than ever before. Whilst in the past they were asked to do ‘more for less’ they are now forced to deliver ‘less for less’. We need to ensure that organics recycling which fills up to 40% of the waste collected is not neglected as a result of cost reductions.
Food waste drive
Food waste collection and recycling has attracted much attention in recent months not just at a political level but also from the mainstream media, with the likes of celebrity chef and television personality, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, looking at food waste on an industrial scale.
The REA has been campaigning for mandatory food waste collections and for England to follow Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in their path to removing food waste from the residual waste bin. Government favour a ‘voluntary’ approach to this but in reality we are stalled and need a legislative change to effect step change.
The challenge ahead
Uncertainty in direction of travel and lack of effective policy drivers cause much concern within both the organics recycling sector but also the wider waste and recycling community. With devolved administrations taking a much bolder and firmer stance towards mandatory food waste collections it is difficult to understand why we continue to lag so far behind. It would be easy to point the finger at local authorities as close to 50% are collecting food waste in some way. The truth is that continued funding cuts have meant that LAs have had to make difficult decisions and prioritise their spend and food waste is not deemed to be high on their list with healthcare, schools and roads leading the way.
The management of biodegradable wastes including food waste will continue apace. The potential to grow this however and realise its full potential lies with all of us but mostly with our political leaders. Legislative change does make a difference as can be seen by the landfill tax escalator. Industry will do its part by investing in the required infrastructure to grow this sector, but only when they have clear signals from the policy makers which are lasting and secure in nature will the step change occur that we so badly need.
[i] Reducing emissions and preparing for climate change: 2015 Progress Report to Parliament (opens as PDF)
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