USE OF RECYCLED ORGANIC MATTER IN LANDSCAPE PROJECTS

BIOGRAPHY - DAVID JARVIS PRESIDENT OF THE LANDSCAPE INSTITUTE ESTABLISHED DAVID JARVIS ASSOCIATES IN 1982 WORK THROUGHOUT UK, IRELAND, CONTINENTAL EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND THE CARIBBEAN 20 PIECES OF RESEARCH FOR UK, GOVERNMENT, SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT AND WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT UNDERTAKEN TRIALS IN WALES AND SCOTLAND FOR WRAP

WHAT IS COMPOST? Compost is the result of the organic breakdown of green and food waste, under controlled and monitored conditions. Compost is an important product to the landscaping industry and can provide various benefits in projects involving reclamation, restoration and the improvement of land. Compost is a source of organic matter and can improve the physical and chemical properties of the soil to which it is applied, enhance plant growth, stimulate biological activity and improve resistance to erosion. BSI PAS 100 compost is ideal because not only is it a rich source of nutrients, it is also quality assured and therefore reliable and consistent. WRAP has identified a number of producers of BSI PAS 100 compost spread across the UK.

BENEFITS PHYSICAL CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ECOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMIC

CONTROL MEASURES BSI PAS 100 includes controls such as the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) measures, to ensure that risks of adverse impacts to the environment and human health are minimised. The BSI PAS100 composting process eliminates most plant and human pathogens that may be present in the feedstock, and quality and regulatory measures are in place to ensure that it is a safe and reliable material to use. Compliance with BSI PAS 100 provides strict control over chemical and physical contaminants likely to be present in compost, for example arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, zinc, glass and plastic.

QUALITY COMPOST ACROSS THE UK BSI PAS 100 sets the criteria for the production of quality compost that can be used in land reclamation and provides the assurance required to users. In Scotland, compost produced in compliance with BSI PAS 100 is considered as fully recovered and therefore is no longer regarded as a waste material, provided that a secure market for this material exists. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland compost must also comply with the relevant Quality Protocol to be fully recovered and not considered as waste. The Compost specifications for the landscape industry recommend that additional requirements to the BSI PAS 100 criteria should be met for different end uses in order to ensure that the product is fit-for purpose. These are summarised in the accompanying Technical Documents. The Compost specifications for the landscape industry are currently under review and a new version will be published Shortly.

NATURAL ENGLAND TRIAL SITES Penlee Quarry, Cornwall – metadolerite Cromwell Quarry, Yorkshire – gritstone Oathill Quarry, Glos. – limestone Shellingford Quarry, Oxon – lst gravel Sandy Heath Quarry, Beds. - sand WRAP TRIAL SITES IN WALES Blaenau Ffestiniog Quarry – slate Borras Sand Pit – sand and gravel Ffos-y-fran OCCS – coal measures Brynposteg – metalliferous mine waste WRAP TRIAL SITES IN SCOTLAND Elgin – Forestry Research site

BENEFITS OF USING PAS100 QUALITY COMPOST

WRAP GOOD PRACTICE GUIDE

HABITAT CREATION HOUSING AND MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT ENERGY CROPS ON BROWNFIELD LAND SUSTAINABLE URBAN DRAINAGE SYSTEMS (SUDS) AND GREEN ROOFS SLOPE STABILISATION AND EROSION CONTROL RECREATION AND SPORTS TURF LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE BIOREMEDIATION

Application of compost to reduce erosion on an engineered slope, Nafferton Farm, Northumberland The project examines the effectiveness of compost to stabilise the surface and subsurface of an engineered slope in order to both prevent erosion and enhance vegetation establishment. Compost blankets in slope stabilisation trial, Nafferton Farm

Centenary Riverside An innovative approach was used to stabilise this clay bank and protect it from erosion. Compost was used for bank stabilisation and soil creation. The compost soil was sown with a fast growing seed mix to provide vegetation cover to protect the compost from erosion. Compost socks have been installed along the riverbank to protect it from scouring. The compost has significantly reduced erosion and has provided the growing medium in which plants are thriving. Compost socks, Centenary Riverside

FINANCIAL BENEFITS

DJA RESEARCH REPORTS

WRAP GUIDANCE

WRAP GOOD PRACTICE GUIDE