How Can I be Sure Compost is of a Sufficiently High Standard for my Purpose?
In Ireland, all composting sites, as part of their waste permit/waste licences, test compost to ensure it meets a compost quality standard and is fit for use. A National Standard for Compost was recently published (I.S. 441). A voluntary compost quality assurance scheme is being developed by Rx3/Department of Environment to provide independent certification to the National Compost Standard -see www.cqas.ie A map of the compost facilities which are approved under the scheme can be found here
In Northern Ireland, for compost produced from source-segregated input material, there is a compost quality protocol alongside the composting specification PAS100:2010. When manufactured to conform to the quality protocol the material is considered a product and no longer influenced by waste legislation. This means that composts both from Northern Ireland and Ireland which meet standards are quality products, traceable, safe and reliable.
How can I be Sure Digestate is of a Sufficiently High Standard for my Purpose?
In Ireland, all anaerobic digestion sites, as part of their waste permit/waste licences, test compost to ensure it meets a digestate quality standard and is fit for use.
In Northern Ireland, for digestate produced from source-segregated input material, there is a digestate quality protocol alongside the composting specification PAS110:2010. When manufactured to conform to the quality protocol the material is considered a product and no longer influenced by waste legislation. This means that digestate both from Northern Ireland and Ireland which meet standards are quality products, traceable, safe and reliable.