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Project title

Identifying the Sources and Scale of Plastic in Compost Derived from Household and Commercial FoodWaste

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Foster Environmental Limited

Lead Applicant

Percy Foster

Project Abstract

In a recent study for the EPA it was determined that the greatest risk to achieving a compost and digestate standard is contamination of the input feedstock. The results of the study will be most likely be used as a reference standard in the development of a future National End of Waste position for compost and digestate. If adopted, the standard will set limits for impurities (glass, plastic, metal, stones) based on size. Due to the practicalities of testing, the minimum measurable size of impurities in composts and digestates globally is 2mm. Since they cannot currently be economically and efficiently extracted or identified, any impurities smaller than 2mm present in compost and digestate will be released into the environment. In order to best develop strategies to reduce contamination before it reaches the organic recycling system it is essential to know exactly what the sources of contamination are, e.g. specific packaging formats and their quantity. Furthermore, comparatively little is known about the plastic embedded in food waste. The best known of these specific waste streams are tea/coffee bags and the labels stuck onto fruit and vegetables. The plastic in many styles of tea and coffee bags and fruit labels are such that by the time they have been through composting or digestion processes they will have broken down into small (<2mm) microplastics particles and fibres. Technology is unable to remove such small particles and fibres and therefore once they enter the system as used tea and coffee bags or stuck to peelings, the embedded plastic will enter the environment hidden in otherwise high quality composts and digestates. Our project concept is as follows: Through widespread stakeholder engagement with the global organics industry, identify products which are known to be a visible and invisible contamination concern. Understand different strategies and policies to reduce feedstock contamination at a global level. Through nationwide biowaste composition analyses quantify the level of contamination in separately collected household and commercial food waste. Through the same composition analyses identify and quantify products within the food waste stream which are considered likely to contain embedded plastic e.g. tea and coffee bags, fruit labels, paper products and have these products independently analysed for plastic content. Through comprehensive market research develop an understanding of the quantities of invisible plastic embedded in products highlighted by the waste analyses. The market research will also seek to include direct contact with the relevant players in the supply chain and will gather views regarding the necessity of the product i.e. can it be avoided completely and if not what are the barriers and do alternatives products or systems exist and what are the barriers to their adoption. Using the information gathered and respecting any confidentiality, we will develop a series of proposals to remove invisible plastics in products which are targeted for organic recycling. The information relating to macro contamination will be shared with the Food Waste Recycling Group for use in any potential future organics quality communications campaign.

Grant Approved

�78,700.00

Research Hub

Green and Circular Economy

Research Theme

n/a

Start Date

03/01/2022

Initial Projected Completion Date

03/01/2023