The Environment Agency has published the revised biowaste standard rules set in December. We quote from the communication sent by REA to its members.
“They have added 10 new biowaste standard rules permits and generic risk assessments. They are SR2021 numbers 1 to 10 which are here. There are significant changes which the EA set out in their consultation response document:
- They have consolidated rule sets so it is clear when they can be used.
- Operating standards have been raised and best available techniques built into the new rule sets.
- They ‘have been more prescriptive’ in their approach.
“With regard to contamination in feedstock, for composting in ‘open systems’ and for on-farm AD, they have stated that ‘biodegradable waste that is significantly contaminated with non-compostable contaminants shall not be accepted, in particular, plastic and litter shall be no more than one per cent w/w and shall be as low as reasonably practicable by 31 December 2025’. For composting in ‘closed systems’ and for AD (except on-farm) the corresponding limit is five per cent w/w and shall be as low as reasonably practicable by 31 December 2025.
“Operators will be notified in writing and will have three months to comply with their revised rule set or apply for a bespoke permit.”
BBIA welcomes these new stricter limits to contamination of feedstocks for biological treatment, with the EA accepting the very obvious principle that “you cannot compost or digest plastic”.