Consultation: revised waste framework directive

Friday, 20 August 2010 14:51

The final deadline for all consultation responses is 10th September.

A few weeks ago we informed you about some possible changes which would mean community composting (which doesn't meet the PAS-100 quality protocol) would no longer be classed as recycling. Potentially this could be a major blow for many community composting groups, especially those who rely on recycling credits, or who have contracts with their local authorities.

These potential changes are coming about due to the transposition of the revised Waste Framework Directive (rWFD) into English and Welsh law - in addition to new targets for waste recycling, the rWFD introduces the "waste hierarchy". In a nutshell, the waste hierarchy classifies waste management strategies according to their desirability - Prevention, Preparing for re-use, Recycling, Other recovery and Disposal. In future the waste hierarchy will need to be considered by everyone (except householders) producing waste. The proposed changes would mean non-PAS 100 compost would be considered "recovery" and not "recycling", and thus only one stage above "disposal".

Obviously, we feel that this does not reflect the environmental benefits of small scale-composting, and furthermore we do not believe that it meets the obligations of EU member states (as set out in the rWFD) to: "take into account the general environmental protection principles of precaution and sustainability, technical feasibility and economic viability, protection of resources as well as the overall environmental, human health, economic and social impacts, in accordance with Articles 1 and 13”

Our initial concern is therefore to ensure that community composting does not become considered "recovery" and that CC groups are still eligible for recycling credits.

However, we also think that there should be a wider discussion of where composting (especially of greenwaste) fits into the waste hierarchy. After all, the logical conclusion of green waste prevention is to concrete all our gardens! We don't believe that organic waste should be treated in the same way as artificial waste made from finite resources - or that composting should be considered any less environmentally beneficial than waste prevention or re-use.

You can read our draft CCN response dealing with the "recycling vs recovery" issue here , and this will be developed further to address our overall concerns with the waste hierarchy. Its very important that we get your opinion on these issues if we want DEFRA to listen. The final deadline for all consultation responses is 10th September but we would ask you to try and get your responses in to us by Friday 3rd September. We would like as many people as possible to send us in their thoughts on how this will effect them, and whats wrong with DEFRAs approach. We would also encourage you to send in your own responses.

You can find all the relevant consultation papers here:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/waste-framework-revised/index.htm
(check out Consultation document page 40 for the relevant bit; and the Draft guidance for England on the application of the waste hierarchy )

and a copy of the revised Waste Framework here:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:312:0003:0003:EN:PDF

Responses should be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We loook for hearing from you.

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