Quality Protocol for AD?

A consultation to allow the development of a Quality Protocol for the production and use of quality outputs from Anaerobic Digestion (AD) has been launched by the Waste Protocols Project, a joint WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) and Environment Agency initiative.

AD is a natural process of microbiological conversion of organic matter, such as food waste from households and businesses. The process produces digestate, which can be used as a fertiliser. It also produces biogas, which can be harnessed and used to produce electricity onsite, or be sold back into the electricity grid.

A Quality Protocol could make it easier to turn biodegradable waste into valuable products such as fertilisers and soil conditioners. It could also ease the regulatory burden by defining when the digestate ceases to be waste and therefore no longer needs to be subject to regulatory control.

Martin Brocklehurst, Head of Environment Protection External Programmes at the Environment Agency, said: "By clearly defining the standards required to collect, transport, store, recycle and reuse source-segregated biodegradable waste, a Quality Protocol for AD could save businesses the time and costs associated with meeting waste regulations, without harming human health and the environment."