Enviros General Composting Capability
Project profiles for composting and the development of markets for compost
The following is a list of some of the compost related projects we have been working on recently. Can we assist you with a similar project?
London Remade
A project funded by the Norlands Foundation has compared three composting systems: windrow, covered aerated static pile (Gore) and in-vessel (Sirocco). This was followed in 2004/05 with an assessment of a large in-vessel system (Beddington).
Enviros have assisted a project at Rainham in Essex (reported 2003) where kerbside collected green and kitchen wastes from the London Borough of Bexley have been composted through an in-vessel system (Sirocco). Cleanaway are now installing a large system for kerbside organics from Bexley.
In-vessel composting
A large trial was conducted in 2002/04 with Blue Prince Mushrooms using tunnels to compost a range of wastes funded by WREN, with particular reference to the Animal By-Products Regulations 2003.
An in-vessel system was assessed for the composting of mixed MSW in 2002/03 for use in Scotland.
In 2002, an in-vessel composting system was costed for a London Borough.
Anaerobic digestion
A feasibility study was carried out in 2002 on an anaerobic digestion system to treat green and kitchen wastes in the West Midlands.
A project has been conducted for the Scottish Executive in 2004 to install 7 anaerobic digestion plants and 4 composting facilities on farm in Scotland.
Vermicomposting
A worm composting system was assessed in 2003 for a client in the West Midlands.
Vegetable wastes composting
A project was funded by WREN in 2002 to assess the composting of vegetable wastes with green waste, cardboard and wood wastes in co-operation with FoodFen.
Stabilised biowaste
A project was completed in 2001 with Suffolk Waste Disposal Ltd (now Viridor Waste Suffolk Ltd) on composting mixed wastes through an in-vessel and the Gore system.
Training
Training has been given to composters through a number of the Remade projects and for recycling officers through WRAP.
In conjunction with The Composting Association and CIWM, Enviros have given composting training to the Environment Agency.
Enviros are leading the new WRAP Organics Landmark training programme for 2004/05 in conjunction with the Composting Association and the CIWM.
Enviros have been delivering the courses for WRAP on compost quality introducing the BSI Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 100.
Market development for composts
Remade London
Enviros assisted London Remade carry out a trial of peat-free compost in 2001 growing various trees and nursery stock in containers. Further work has been carried out in 2003 at the Rainham site in Essex.
A soil biocleansing project and a methane abatement project using compost with Imperial College started in 2002 and a conference was held in Autumn 2004.
A collection and composting trial has been carried out in four West London Boroughs in 2002/03 in which Enviros carried out a market survey for the use of the compost as well as monitoring the composting process and end product quality.
Remade Essex
A trial of compost use for tree planting and as a mulch started in 2001 for a two year period on the A130. Compost has also been used on the A131 in a mulching trial run by the County Council.
A field trial of compost at high rates of application was started in 2002 and will be continued into 2004. Harvest in 2003 showed beneficial yield increases. This trial is on very heavy land and initial results also showed improved germination and establishment of the oilseed rape crop.
A landscaping project has used compost to improve soils in a planting scheme in Basildon. Tree and shrubs were planted in February 2003.
Trials of compost were started in Essex and Suffolk on the use of compost on golf course fairways and tees in 2002 with good results. Commercial courses are now taking compost – see WRAP case studies.
Trials with growing media based on green waste compost were conducted with a number of nurseries in Essex in 2002/03.
A soil remediation project was conducted using compost in 2001.
Biodegradable and degradable bags were assessed through the composting process for Remade Essex in 2002.
The Clean Merseyside centre (CMC)
Trials have been conducted with nurseries growing plants ranging from Fuchsias to pansies in glasshouses. Projects with landscapers have also been carried out.
Remade Kent and Medway
A field trial of compost was conducted in 2002 on onions with very good yield responses.
A programme of trials with fruit growers using compost started in Autumn 2003 and will be completed in 2006.
WRAP
Three projects were started in 2003 for WRAP and are now complete and available from the WRAP website.
The first project developed the specifications for the use of compost in landscaping.
- the second is the development of Information Packages and Fact Sheets for end users for the use of compost in all applications – agriculture, landscaping and horticulture, and
- in the third project Enviros carried out practical growing trials of peat alternatives with nurseries in the UK.
- A project for WRAP in 2004 was the development of a specification for composted green materials for the use in growing media. Enviros was a part of the project team delivering the specification which is now available. This is especially important for the uptake of compost into growing media as it is endorsed by the Growing Media Association.
Shanks first fund
A three year study of the compost use in agriculture managed by Phil Wallace (£287,000) started in 2001. Seven sites have had compost applied in fully replicated plot trials. The fate of plant diseases through the composting process has also been evaluated by Dr Joe Short.
Defra
Enviros participated in a project in 2002 conducting a literature search and review for Defra on composting and soil health and quality for organic farming. Legislation was also reviewed.
Enviros conducted the assessment of peat and peat alternatives in 2001 for the ODPM.
Horticultural Development Council
Enviros are working on a new project through 2004 to investigate the scientific basis of compost teas used in horticulture.
|
