Jane

Organics collectionsRegulations and potential risks: 

Organics collections Regulations and potential risks Jane Gilbert Chief Executive www.compost.org.uk

Slide2: 

The UK’s membership organisation researching and promoting best practice in composting and the uses of composts Broad range of members Proactive policy work Quarterly Journal Composting News Publications Information and advice Standards for Composts Composts Marketing Network Annual Conference www.compost.org.uk

Organics collectionsRegulations and potential risks: 

Organics collections Regulations and potential risks Existing legislation Factors to consider Animal health Human health

Existing legislation: 

Existing legislation EC Framework Directive on Waste Article 4 - To ensure waste does not endanger human health or harm the environment Article 12 covers transport – requires ‘authorisation’ Environmental Protection Act (1990) (c. 43) Pt II Section 34 – Duty of Care Section 45 – Collection of controlled waste Section 46 – Receptacles for household waste

Existing legislation: 

Existing legislation The Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 Storing wastes safely and securely Completing a Waste Transfer Note Transferring wastes to an authorised person / organisation Covers controlled wastes But not animal by-products Animal By-Products Order

Existing legislation: 

Existing legislation Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Sets out broad framework for H&S Numerous regulations applicable, e.g.: Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1999 Management Regulations 1999

Properties of organic wastes: 

Properties of organic wastes Biodegradable, therefore … Can generate malodours Are often wet Often have a high density  heavy per unit volume Can attract vermin – foxes, rats, flies etc. Can carry pathogens Design of collection schemes needs careful consideration!

Nuisance factors: 

Nuisance factors Odours Frequency of collection Weekly, fortnightly etc. Seasonality Wastes arisings e.g. grass clippings Ambient temperatures Effect of container design Air circulation Compaction of wastes Attraction and access by vermin And livestock (wild birds!) Cleanliness of containers Use of bin liners? Bin washing facilities?

Nuisance factors: 

Nuisance factors Collection of water in wheeled bins Escape of leachate during collection Covering operatives emptying wheeled bins Escape of leachate from refuse freighter Consider a sealed body vehicle

Health & safety of collection crew: 

Health & safety of collection crew Ergonomics 240 litre wheeled bins full of grass clippings can be very heavy! Skin punctures Thorns, tree prunings Bioaerosols Exposure dependent upon moisture content of waste (Nordic studies)

Pathogens and other micro-organisms: 

Pathogens and other micro-organisms Animal health EU Regulation UK legislation Human health Research studies Example

EU - Animal health: 

EU - Animal health Drafting of a Regulation laying down animal and public health rules for: The collection, transport, storage, handling, processing and use or disposal of animal by-products, to prevent these products from presenting a risk to animal or public health (Scope in Article 1)

First reading June 2001: 

First reading June 2001 Article 7 Animal by-products and processed products shall be collected, transported and identified in accordance with Annex II Annex II - Vehicles & containers Sealed new packaging or covered leak-proof containers or vehicles Need to be cleaned, washed and disinfected after each use Maintained in a clean condition Clean and dry before use

Final text12 September 2002: 

Final text 12 September 2002 Concilliation agreement Article 7 Provisions of Annex II do NOT apply to catering wastes of Category 3 BUT Catering wastes should be collected, transported and disposed of without endangering human health and without harming the environment (Framework Directive on Waste) Scientific committee to agree on requirements (Nov ‘06) EC to submit proposal for Biowaste Directive by end of 2004 – to include ‘food waste’

British Animal By-Products Amendment Order (2001): 

British Animal By-Products Amendment Order (2001) Introduced in May 2001 Consequence of Foot and Mouth Disease epidemic Separate Orders in E, S & W Updated the 1999 Order Principal aim: ‘To ban the production and feeding of swill produced from catering waste which contains meat or products that have been in contact with meat, or originates from premises where meat or meat products are handled, processed or produced’ Effectively prevented composting catering wastes Access to ruminant animals, pigs or poultry, including wild birds

British Animal By-Products Amendment Order (2001): 

British Animal By-Products Amendment Order (2001) October 2001 - DEFRA commissioned comprehensive risk assessment Animal pathogens (exotic & endemic) Quantitative Published June 2002 On DEFRA’s Web site 7 June conference Basis for revisions to Order

Changes to the ABPO: 

Changes to the ABPO Will need to integrate with interpretation of EU Regulation Will only cover catering wastes for composting and anaerobic digestion NOT green wastes! Not animal by-products (legislated for elsewhere) Not home composting, but with restrictions on livestock ownership May be requirement for cleansing & disinfection of vehicles at site If used to bring in wastes & transport out compost More stringent controls if meat collected? Consultation draft expected imminently

Human health - Householders: 

Human health - Householders Case study (1) The Netherlands Source separation of biowaste (green waste, fruit and vegetable wastes) by householders compulsory since 1994 Some concerns about storing wastes indoors before collection Flats and multi-occupancy dwellings Study carried out by University of Wageningen Investigated effect of indoor storage of compostable waste on the concentrations of microbial agents in house dust from living room and kitchen floor

Human health - Householders: 

Human health - Householders Case study (2) Study identified Separate storage of organic waste indoors lead to a significant increase in fungi and bacteria in dust from living room & kitchen floors Indoor storage of mixed waste (no separation of organics) did not increase levels compared to indoor storage of residual waste (non organic) only Unknown effects on human health Effects on asthmatics?

Human health - Householders: 

Human health - Householders Case study (3) Consequences Study hit national newspapers Questions asked in Dutch Parliament Use by pro-incineration lobby to argue against composting and separate collection! Flats and multi-occupancy dwellings not now required to separate organics Biobin in the home, occasionally harmful to health Stinking biobin a health risk and controversial

Organics collectionsSummary: 

Organics collections Summary Need to bear in mind existing and impending legislation EU Regulation – early 2003 Changes to the Animal By-Products Regulation – early 2003 Proposal for Biowaste Directive by 2004 Need to consider carefully Nuisance factors Odours Vermin Leachate Health and safety issues Householders & collection crew

Conclusion: 

Conclusion Design of collection schemes needs special consideration to address these issues before they become a problem! Composting has many advantages, but let’s not repeat the mistakes made elsewhere!

Organics collectionsRegulations and potential risks: 

Organics collections Regulations and potential risks Jane Gilbert Chief Executive www.compost.org.uk