Waste Strategy Approved by CCN

The Community Composting Network (CCN) has welcomed the overall aims of the Waste Strategy for England 2007, and the recognition of the importance of food waste minimisation, separate food waste collections and the role of Anaerobic Digestion (AD) for disposing of food waste.

The CCN represents 200 community composters around the UK, from social enterprises collecting food waste from householders, to smaller groups working with schools or in waste education. Their Co-ordinator, Nick McAllister, said about the strategy: "It covers areas of interest for all our English members, from dealing with food waste to the benefits of working with the third sector to promote waste minimisation. We look forward to working with Defra, WRAP, our members and the other community waste networks."

However, whilst the report identifies food waste as a 'key waste material', it only goes as far as to say there are 'strong arguments to encouraging more separate collection of food waste'. Because of this, Nick McAllister still had some reservations: "While we welcome the fact that Defra acknowledge the arguments for separate food waste collections," he said, "it is a shame they are not backing this up with real drivers. Separate collection of food waste allows quality materials to be sent for anaerobic digestion or composting and allows for an easier introduction of fortnightly residual collection."

The strategy also highlights the greenhouse gas emissions caused by landfilling different types of waste versus the environmental benefits of recycling, composting and using AD. Landfilled organic waste, for example, produces the greenhouse gas methane, but if it is diverted it can be used to create useful products such as fertilisers. This has always been one of the drivers for CCN's member's composting activities.

Otter Rotters was the first CCN members to set up an Anaerobic Digestion operation for food waste. Spokesman Phil Foggitt says: "It is brilliant that this Strategy recognises alternative treatment such as AD. Our Alchemy Project shows that this can be done on a small scale and I hope that local authorities are given the incentives to support local projects which minimise transport emissions."

Introducing food waste collection requires educating the public and getting all members of the community involved. Phil added: "The community sector has a strong track record of successfully engaging the public to participate in kerbside collection schemes, so involving local groups to deliver this Strategy is really important."