There is confusion in the UK about issues of cardboard when composted with green waste which the composters will then seek to sell as certified high quality PAS100 compost for a really good sales price. Understandably, green waste compost buyers want to be sure that when using that compost it cannot end up doing long term harm due to contaminants in it, or be unsightly due to particles which won’t ever rot away, such as pieces of plastic and scraps of plastic film.
AfOR (the Association for Organics Recycling – a UK body) was involved in the re-draft and they are concerned that they are being painted as the “villains of the peace” by local authorities wrongly. That’s because ratepayers who are disappointed that they can no longer recycle their cardboard – an outcome of the new PAS100 revision, have been told AfOR was the instigator of the cahnge. New regulations in the form of a new revised version of the PAS100 standard, have been unpopular wherever they have been introduced.
A major problem for the many householders receiving only fortnightly collection of mixed waste is the fact that with cardboard being so bulky, their residual waste bins can no longer cope with the volume of waste needing collection now that their cardboard can no longer be placed in the green waste bin. In the summer this means that lids can’t be closed as the time for collection approaches and flies and odors will become far worse.
In the quotes that we have included below from the LetsRecycle article you can see why AfOR isn’t itself responsible for the council’d decision to stop allowing cardboard to be disposed by householders within their green waste.
|
AfOR tackles confusion over green waste and card letsrecycle.com In June this year, AfOR called on councils to improve the quality of biowaste they collect (see letsrecycle.com story) in order to enable their composters to meet the PAS 100 standard and ensure it will count towards their recycling targets. …
|
Click here to visit the original source of this post
Local authorities have been urged by the Association for Organics Recycling (AfOR) to give residents more accurate information if they stop collecting card with green waste.
In June this year, AfOR called on councils to improve the quality of biowaste they collect (see letsrecycle.com story) in order to enable their composters to meet the PAS 100 standard and ensure it will count towards their recycling targets. One of the main ways it said this could be done was by removing paper and card – which is often laminated and contains contaminants – from the mix.
AfOR are calling for councils to publish clearer information about organics recycling
And, while many councils have since heeded this message and made efforts to remove paper and card from their green waste collections, some have suggested to householders that they have been ‘forced’ to comply due to a ‘change in AfOR standards’ or a ‘change in regulations’ (see letsrecycle.com story).
Now, AfOR is seeking to clarify exactly why the changes are needed and is urging councils to tell its residents that there are environmental benefits.
In a statement issued earlier this week, it said: “There has not been a change in regulations. The government’s policies relevant to biowaste encourage local authorities to collect organic wastes that can be converted into high quality composts meeting the British Standard Institution’s Publically Available Specification for composted materials (PAS100). What has changed is PAS 100’s upper limits for physical contaminants and plastics in compost have been made more stringent. These changes have been driven by demands from markets for high quality composts.
“Users of compost want to be confident that they compost they use will not damage the environment, animals and our food supply chain; they want reassurance that it is safe and beneficial to use”.
AfOR also pointed out that the PAS 100 was not an AfOR standard, but a specification published by the BSI after consultation with the composting industry and other stakeholders, such as growing media manufacturers and food assurance schemes.
The real problem here is really more to do with those, “Oh! So unpopular!” fortnightly residual waste collections, than recycling cardboard in my view. A bit more joined-up thinking is needed by the local authorities. Why can’t they make a separate cardboard collection for example with other rcyclables? Couldn’t they simply shred it and use it to heat our schools?
What do you think? Let us know, by using the commenting facility below. Thank you so much!
Listed below are some other websites with related information about this Compost topic:
Home Composting
Quality Compost (PAS 100 & CQP) - Association for Organics ...
Backhus Compost Turners
Worm Factory vs. DIY Worm Compost Bin
Making and Using Compost - University of Missouri Extension Home
