Composting is the biological decomposition, sanitisation and stabilisation of biodegradable waste that results in safe and stable compost that can be applied to land for the benefit of agriculture, horticulture or ecological improvement. Composts with suitable characteristics can also be used as an ingredient in growing media and manufactured topsoil.

Composting can range from simple outdoor windrows (large heaps) to more mechanised and controlled systems that enclose all or some phases of composting. In-vessel composting (IVC) is a commonly used term for composting systems that encloses at least one phase of composting, which is usually the initial, highest temperature, intensively monitored phase of composting.

‘Housed windrows’ inside a building, ‘aerated static piles’ and ‘outdoor, turned windrow’ composting are terms for other composting systems that are in operation in the UK.

Via our industry leading Organics Member Forum the REA can advise members on all aspects of composting, from input materials and their collection, different process types and technologies, regulations and standards, through to markets and uses for composts.

For more detailed information and to find out more about this technology please see the REA’s Organics Member Forum.