Code of Practice for the use of recycled organic materials in land reclamation THE CODE OF PRACTICE Antony Chapman March 9 th 2010

meas OUTLINE –Recap: the need for a Code of Practice –How to use the Code –Coverage of the Code –Content of the Code –Preparation of the Code –Format of the code –How to obtain the Code Picture courtesy of WRAP

Recap: the need for a Code of Practice –A large area of degraded land is present in the UK at any one time. –Organic matter from a range of sources can be used to restore such land to productive use. –Codes of Practice are useful sources of advice and guidance for the assessment of sites and the preparation and application of materials –Most available Codes of Practice have limitations in relation to land reclamation

Recap: the need for a Code of Practice –A large area of degraded land is present in the UK at any one time. –Organic matter from a range of sources can be used to restore such land to productive use Title Land reclamation Compost Biosolids CLO Digestate Paper Crumble Others Up-to-date? PEPFAA NNNNNNNN Defra COGAP NNNNNNNY DoE Sludge use in agriculture NNYNNNNN Code of practice for sludge use in land reclamation YNYNNNNN TWIRLS Good practice manual YYYYYYNN

Recap: the need for a Code of Practice –A large area of degraded land is present in the UK at any one time. –Organic matter from a range of sources can be used to restore such land to productive use Title Land reclamation Compost Biosolids CLO Digestate Paper Crumble Others Up-to-date? Scottish Code of Practice PEPFAA NNNNNNNN Defra COGAP NNNNNNNY DoE Sludge use in agriculture NNYNNNNN Code of practice for sludge use in land reclamation YNYNNNNN TWIRLS Good practice manual YYYYYYNN SNIFFER Code of Practice YYYYYYYY

This Code covers the use of RECYCLED ORGANIC MATERIALS in LAND RESTORATION, RECLAMATION AND IMPROVEMENT. The Code is a source of guidance: –Best practice beyond minimum legal requirements. –Non statutory. –Practical, usable, relevant advice. The Code applies throughout the UK

o MATERIALS INCLUDED IN THE CODE Composts produced from green waste and green/food waste. Compost-Like Output (CLO). Anaerobic digestate from source segregated feedstock. Biosolids products. Water treatment sludges. Paper crumble. Organic wastes and sludges (Not ABPR).

ACTIVITIES COVERED IN THE CODE Restoration or improvement of non-agricultural land.  Non-food crop production.  Forestry.  Habitat development.  Recreational activity.  Public open space. Improvement of the surface layer of a landfill cap.

The introduction sets out the scope of the Code. Materials included in the Code are described in Section 2. An assessment of the benefits and risks of using the materials is discussed in Section 3. Information on relevant legislation is in Section 4. Picture courtesy of WRAP

Case studies show how organic materials have been applied in previous examples. –A range of materials, end goals and approaches The Code itself is in four parts: –Initial assessment. –Site-specific assessment. –Application. –Monitoring and aftercare. Pictures courtesy of WRAP

A variety of source information was identified as being of potential value in the Code: Previous SNIFFER research. Other Codes of Practice. Scientific literature. Technical reports. Position statements. Information was compiled in a literature review that formed the basis of information in the Code.

At the same time as the literature review was prepared, discussions were held with a range of key stakeholders: –Nearly 50 stakeholders approached, 36% response. –Operators, trade associations, development agencies, Government, regulators. Telephone interview/questionnaire. –Content, coverage and value of the Code.

Woodchip3 Brewery waste1 Food waste2 Manure2 Silts 2 Recycled Topsoil1 Biosolids 11 Compost 14 CLO4 Paper mill sludge7 Anaerobic Digestate2 Water treatment sludges2 What types of recycled organic matter can you name?

Biosolids 11 Compost 14 CLO4 Paper mill sludge7 Anaerobic Digestate2 Water treatment sludges2 What types of recycled organic matter can you name? Woodchip3 Brewery waste1 Food waste2 Manure2 Silts 2 Recycled Topsoil1

Types of materials8 Application rates7 Incorporation methods5 Information on legislation5 Timing of applications3 Case Studies3 Types of sites2 Balance between beneficial use and spreading of material2 Information on contamination2 How to measure benefit2 Coverage of the Code (materials, uses, spatial coverage)2 What information would you like to see in the Code?

Types of materials8 Application rates7 Incorporation methods5 Information on legislation5 Timing of applications3 Case Studies3 Types of sites2 What information would you like to see in the Code? Balance between beneficial use and spreading of material2 Information on contamination2 How to measure benefit2 Coverage of the Code (materials, uses, spatial coverage)2

Other responses (one reply each): –Open to all organic materials rather than being delineated –Safeguards and precautions –Where use would be inappropriate –Contact list –Monitoring post-application –The Code should support rather than restrict use of materials Six other responses Picture courtesy of WRAP

A draft code of practice was prepared on the basis of the literature review and the consultation. The project was reviewed by the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) prior to being released to a public consultation Public consultation through an online questionnaire and additional responses by Two week consultation period

The public consultation yielded nine responses: –Individual and group responses Mostly recycling and land reclamation sectors –Detailed answers although a small response. The overall response was largely positive: –A useful and timely document –Good presentation –Easy to follow and find relevant information Picture courtesy of M. Reeve

There were some concerns over aspects of the content: –Clarification over details such as application rates. –Concern that information on legislation will become out of date quickly. –Concerns that some criteria were overly prescriptive. –Overemphasis on the risks in using the materials. –Not enough emphasis on the controls in place to minimise risk.

All responses detailed within the consultation were compiled into a response to comments document. The Code was updated in line with these responses. The final version of the Code is publically available as of today. Picture courtesy of M. Reeve

The Code is in two parts: –The Code of Practice is a short, accessible document to be used in the field and in general situations. –The Technical Document provides more detailed supporting information for the Code.

The Technical Document provides scientific evidence and justification for the recommendations provided in the code. It also provides further general information where relevant. The Code and the Technical Document are cross- referenced to each other by numbered paragraphs to make it easy to find pertinent information. The Technical Document is fully referenced The Code is not referenced for ease of reading and clarity.

The Code will be reviewed and updated periodically. SNIFFER will be responsible for implementing the reviewing and updating strategy. Picture courtesy of WRAP

How to obtain the Code –Hard copies of the Code are available on request from SNIFFER Limited copies are available –Electronic downloads of both the Code and the Technical Document are available from the SNIFFER website.

CONCLUSIONS –SNIFFER has prepared a Code of Practice that covers a combination of materials and uses that are not covered elsewhere. –The Code is divided into a short, easy to use Code of Practice document supported by a more detailed Technical Document the provides background information and scientific justification. –We have endeavoured to listen to the opinions of potential interested parties and incorporate their views and ideas where possible.