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EUROPEAN COMPOST NETWORK
ECN e.V.
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Network for Organic Resources and Biological Treatment
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ECN E-BULLETIN No. 9_2023
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European Commission │ Animal By-Products
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Delegated act on end point in the manufacturing chain for compost and digestate published
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The Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1605 of 22 May 2023 supplementing Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the determination of end points in the manufacturing chain of certain organic fertilisers and soil improvers has been published.
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With the publication of Regulation (EU) 2023/1605 the end point in the manufacturing chain for compost and digestate has been determined beyond which they are no longer subject to the Animal By-Products Regulation (ABPR) (EU 1069/2009), provided that they are used as component materials in EU fertilising products in accordance with the EU Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR) (EU 2019/1009). The delegated regulation refers to the provision in Annex V to Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 where the standard transformation parameters for processing animal by-products in composting and biogas plants are laid down. The delegated regulation on the end point in the manufacturing chain for ABP-derived materials does not allow any derogations, like validated authorised alternative transformation parameters as laid down in Annex V Chapter III Section 2 Point 4. As a result of this, ABP-derived food waste materials can be only treated in composting and anaerobic digestion plants according to the standard transformation parameters at 70 °C for at least 1 hour with a maximum particle size of 12 mm. Contrary to the FPR, the ABPR allows operators to place compost and digestate on the market which have been produced according to parameters that have been authorised and validated by the competent authority. Unfortunately, ECN’s feedback about the legislative inconsistency was refused during the consultation phase of the delegated regulation.
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Due to the fact that the end point in the manufacturing chain of animal by-products has to be reached and as long as no alternative time-temperatures as standard transformation parameters are laid down in the Regulation (EU) 142/2011 no compost and digestate materials coming from ABP-derived food-waste will be placed as CE marked fertilising products on the EU market.
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The delegated act can be accessed here.
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Peat Substitution in Horticulture
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A new peer-reviewed publication on peat replacement in Horticulture has been published by the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institut.
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Peat is the major constituent of horticultural growing media. Due to its high climate footprint, its extraction and use are controversial and the need to limit its use is widely recognised. The Peat Use Reduction Strategy of the German government aims to phase out its use and replace it with renewable materials. Despite the large potential, stakeholders consider the availability of peat substitutes in sufficient quantity and quality as a critical issue. The goal of this research is to systematically investigate the challenges and opportunities for substituting peat in the resource base of the growing media industry.
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Based on deep-dive interviews with German growing media producers, the factors determining the supply and use of the main growing media constituents—peat, green compost, wood fibers, composted bark and coir products—were analysed. The results show the critical role of the processing infrastructure on transportation distances and the quality and quantity of the market supply. Additionally, competition with other sectors affects the availability of materials for the growing media industry. Moreover, peat is still economically advantageous compared with its substitutes. Even if this advantage declines due to consumer awareness and the end of domestic extraction, the end of peat use would probably imply new policy measures.
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The new peer-reviewed publication is published in Horticulturae 2023, 9(8), 919 and can be accessed here.
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Published on Twitter here.
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WRAP Study on plastics in compost and digestate
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The scale of plastic pollution from composts and digestates, its potential impact and opportunities for its mitigation are largely unquantified. This WRAP project has explored some of these questions to develop an understanding of the knowledge base and data gaps.
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Using a combination of structured evidence assessment and supplier and operator engagement this project sought to address the following questions:
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- What evidence is there for the level of plastic contamination in UK (source-segregated) composts and digestates, and does any of this differentiate between compostable and non-compostable plastics?
- How can plastics be measured in composts, digestates and soils, and how can compostable and non-compostable plastics be differentiated?
- What process interventions are available to reduce the level of plastics in composts and digestates, how do they perform and what do they cost?
- How are other countries tackling this issue? How do our limits for plastics in compost and digestate compare? Is there any evidence that the levels of plastic found in UK (source-segregated) composts and digestates cause harm when applied to farmland?
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Data on compost and digestate contamination with plastics are rarely reported in published literature. The most significant UK dataset is held by Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd (REAL) as owners of the Compost and Biofertiliser certification schemes. It was not possible to analyse this dataset within the timeframe of this project.
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Evidence indicates that certified compostable plastics will break down during composting processes, providing the process conditions align with those specified within the standard against which plastics are certified. Non-compostable plastics can be removed before or after composting to achieve PAS100 limits. Stakeholder feedback suggests that compliance with the lower Scottish limits is challenging, requiring a focus on litter-picking from feedstocks prior to composting.
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There are no data on the presence of compostable plastics in digestates. Since they are not intended to biodegrade under anaerobic conditions, residues might be anticipated in digestate prior to final screening.
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Although a number of harms have been demonstrated from plastics in soils, reliance on acute dosing of environmentally unrepresentative concentrations of plastics with short exposure times, combined with inconsistencies in reported impacts and complexities resulting from responses to different polymers, particle sizes and particle shapes means that it is not currently possible to suggest evidence-based limits for plastics in composts, digestates or soils. Stakeholder feedback during a project workshop indicated that retaining the current PAS limits outside Scotland was not an option, and a series of actions has been proposed to understand how ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) or zero-tolerance / precautionary limits might be defined. The proposed actions are summarised in the full report.
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This project has highlighted an absence of strategic data to inform current and future policy relating to biowaste recycling and the need to reduce or eliminate environmental contamination with plastics. Addressing this deficit will require collaboration across policy, industry, regulatory and research communities.
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This article was published by WRAP 25 July 2023.
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The full report of WRAP can be accessed here.
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EU Soil Observatory & EU Soil Mission I 21-23 November 2023 I Madrid (ES)
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European Soil Mission Week
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The Horizon Europe Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ (Mission Soil), the EU Soil Observatory Stakeholders’ Forum, and the EU-funded PREPSOIL project are joining forces to hold the first edition of the European Mission Soil Week.
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The European Mission Soil Week will be an annual event designed as a major European gathering that brings together the European soil community. Researchers, policymakers, farmers, foresters, spatial planners, land owners and managers, businesses and organisations, as well as the public, will meet to discuss the challenges for healthy soils.
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The event will be hosted by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and will take place under the Spanish EU Presidency on 21-23 November 2023 in Madrid.
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Third EU Soil Observatory Stakeholders Forum
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The third EUSO Stakeholders Forum will take place in two parts: a) Working Groups meetings, 15-17 November (online) and b) European Soil Mission Week, Madrid - Spain, 21-23 November (physical meeting). The registrations for the 6 WG (Soil erosion, Soil Pollution, Data sharing & Integration, Soil Monitoring, Soil Biodiversity, Carbon MRV) meetings is open here: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/EUSOFORUM2023
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Bioeconomy Conference I 25 September 2023 I Brussels-Airport (BE)
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Pitch perfect and Boost the EU Bioeconomy
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The conference brings together more than 300 bioeconomy professionals of which 99 technology pitchers and 30+ investors and corporates have registered so far. The event will take place on September 25th, 2023 at the Sheraton Brussels Airport.
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Please find the preliminary program with the different pitch sessions here:
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65+ pitch slots are granted - only 30 slots are left! Submit your abstract before September 10th, 2023 via:
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The online B2B-tool to set-up your B2B meetings will open on August 31st to all registered participants.
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Thematic Seminar I Bolzano
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Thematic Seminar for all CORE Interreg Partners
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As part of the CORE project, the ECN has been invited to a three-day Thematic Seminar and Study Visit in Bolzano-Bozen from the 26th-28th of September.
As part of the thematic seminar and study visit, the project partners will be presented with good practices on the "Prevention of Organic Waste in Rural Areas" and on the "Regulation for composting in rural areas".
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Click here to access the agenda of the meeting.
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News from ECN
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ECN Workshop Announcement | 14-15 November 2023 | Brussels (BE)
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How to achieve high compost and digestate quality?
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The ECN is organising a two-days workshop in Brussels focused on best practices for producing high-quality compost and digestate. We invite members of the TG Sep Col and TG QAS, as well as all other members, to join us for this workshop.
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The event is held in the scope of the BIOBEST project, which aims at the mainstreaming of best practices for biowaste collection and treatment. It will include the following working topics:
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- Compost and digestate production and quality analysis
- Proposal for EU standards for bio-waste entering recycling processes for high-quality compost and digestate
- Revision and upgrading the ECN-QAS
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The workshop is organized as a hybrid event, but we highly recommend the live attendance of our members for a fruitful workshop and discussion.
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If you have an interest to take part, please send an email to TG@compostnetwork.info.
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Cre Annual Conference | Dublin (Ireland) I 13 September 2023
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Organic Recycling Harnesses Nature’s Carbon Sink
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Over the last 18 months there have been some changes in priorities in the Governments across Europe to address new EU Policy changes on energy, climate and recycling. To address energy and climate demands, there will be support by a new Renewable Heat Obligation scheme for biomethane and a new national biomethane strategy is in the final stages of development. The Irish Composting & Anaerobic Digestion Conference comes at a pivotal time for the sector and will create much debate, be thought provoking, informative and inspiring.
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To view the full conference programme click here.
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European Land and Soil Alliance (ELSA) I 14-15 September 2023
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International Conference und Excursion - Importance of Soil Functions & Climate Change
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In Europe and also worldwide, the preservation of soils and soil functions is becoming an increasingly important task and the course must now be set for this at international and national level. The climate function of soils has long been underestimated, and new practical but sustainable options for action are needed. Agriculture must adapt to changing framework conditions and focus more on preserving and improving soil functions. In cities and municipalities, “water-sensitive” urban development with the creation of a blue/green infrastructure, the search for multifunctional areas or the creation of a “sponge city” has become an important objective in future and sustainable urban planning.
The City of Wuppertal is organising the conference in close cooperation with European Land and Soil Alliance and Climate Alliance. The Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Consumer Protection (MUNV) of North Rhine-Westphalia supports the event.
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Click here to register and for more information!
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Organics Recycling Conference 2023 I Montréal (Canada) I 27-29 September 2023
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Towards Victory in Organics Recycling - For Healthier Soil, Healthier Food & Climate Protection
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The Compost Council of Canada is organising its 33rd Annual Organics Recacling Conference under the theme 'For Healthier Soil, Healthier Food & Climate Protechtion. Organics recycling is a vital strategy to combat climate change and improve our well-being. Through teh diversion of food scraps, yard trimmings and other organic materials from landfills and into organic recycling programs, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enrich the soil, portect biodiversity and conserve water. The three-day plan involves organics recycling facility tours as well as presentations and time to network, meet exhibitors and capitalize on training opportunities.
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Early Bired Conference Deadline: August, 22
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S.O.S Save Organics in Soil
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This international initiative S.O.S. SOIL – Save Organics in Soil, led by the European Compost Network (ECN) and the Italian Composting and Biogas Association (CIC), aims to highlight the importance of soil organic matter to encourage policy makers to develop instruments to move Europe towards implementing sustainable, climate proof soil management practices.
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Sign the manifesto 'Save Organigs in Soil' here.
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ECN-QAS Trade Mark No 011007168
Trade mark for certified quality assurance
organisations, compost and digestate products
according to ECN-QAS
Website: www.ecn-qas.eu
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