Search the EPA Research Database

Project title

To develop a national End-of-Waste Standards for Quality Compost and Digestate

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Cr�- Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland CLG

Lead Applicant

Percy Foster

Project Abstract

In Ireland, there are no national End-of-Waste Criteria for quality compost and digestate derived from source-separated materials. In Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) licences for composting and biogas plants, there is a quality standard as part of the licence. However, in old licences the parameters and limit values vary considerably and, in the recent licences, the parameters and limit values have been adopted from the national compost Irish Standard (I.S.) 441 for compost but also anaerobic digestion (AD) plants. The I.S. 441 was not developed for AD plants. Some parameters consequently, such as stability, are not suitable. It is proposed to conduct a desktop evaluation of compost and digestate quality results from existing compost and AD plants. This will be followed by a technical appraisal of published compost and digestate quality standards from different EU countries. At the end of this process making reference to known quality of Irish compost and digestate, a draft standard for digestate will be developed. and to update the current compost standard developed in the previous EPA-funded project. Approaches taken by other European Countries on the implementation of End-of-Waste Criteria will be examined and an appropriate approach for Ireland to take will be recommended. Expected Project Outputs: � A final report, made available in hardcopy and electronically, which will outline the methodology used in the project and the results obtained. The report will also provide recommendations for policy makers, the waste collection industry and future researchers in this area. � A two-page summary report for inclusion on the EPA website. � The information from the project will be used by the National Standard Authority of Ireland to update I.S. 441 quality standard for compost. � The information will hopefully be used to develop national End-of-Waste Criteria for compost and digestate in Ireland. This is turn would lead to the EPA removing the various quality standards in licences of compost and biogas plants and instead have a set of standardised quality standards for compost and digestate. � Articles in the Cr� newsletter and newsletter � A project webpage will be created. The webpage will provide regular updates on project results during the project and will be maintained after the project has finished. � Presentations to industry stakeholders at the respective Cr� and ECN Annual Conferences. � The findings of this project may be published in peer reviewed scientific journal if the data is robust enough.

Grant Approved

�68,914.30

Research Hub

Green and Circular Economy

Research Theme

Resource efficiency

Start Date

01/02/2019

Initial Projected Completion Date

31/01/2020