The EA has added 10 new biowaste standard rules permits and generic risk assessments. They are SR2021 numbers 1 to 10. You can find them here
SR2021 No 8 and SR2021 No 9 will now be available for on-farm anaerobic digestion facilities.
Significant changes
There are significant changes which the EA set out in its consultation response document:
- The EA has 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.
- The EA has been 鈥榤ore prescriptive鈥� in their approach.
Contamination in feedstock
With regards to contamination in feedstock, for composting in 鈥榦pen systems鈥� and for on-farm AD, the EA has stated that 鈥渂iodegradable waste that is significantly contaminated with non-compostable contaminants shall not be accepted, in particular plastic and litter shall be no more than 1% w/w and shall be as low as reasonably practicable by 31 December 2025鈥�.
For composting in 鈥榗losed systems鈥� and for AD (except on farm) the corresponding limit is 5% w/w and shall be as low as reasonably practicable by 31 December 2025.
Welcome step
A reduction in contamination is something that we have lobbied for, as all too often the end user 鈥� the farmer 鈥� of compost or digestate sees far too much non-compostable contaminants in waste-derived compost or digestate.
This is a welcome step in the right direction to achieving contamination-free organic waste.