Waste management is a heavily regulated sector due to the potential for adverse environmental risks when certain waste streams are not managed correctly. It is no different with organic waste. With the new ‘Norms and Standards for Composting’, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment aims to encourage more sectors to adopt composting technology to capture and process organic waste.
If you are composting on-site, here are some summarised points to help you comply with the new norms and standards for composting:
- Storage needs to take place within a unit that has impermeable surfaces (concrete, clay, metal or heavy-duty plastic).
- Minimising, containing, or reusing leachate that is produced from the composting process needs to be done.
- Ensure aeration of material to avoid methane generation.
- Storage needs to be done in a manner that prevents odours and pests.
- Storage should not exceed a period of 90 days.
- Maintain designated buffer distances to ecological sensitive (waterways for example) areas and site boundaries where applicable.
- Ensure good record keeping for type and volume of feedstock entering the premises and composting units.
- Volumes of organic waste entering a composting unit should be monitored. No waste management license is required unless a facility produces above 500kg per day or 15 tonnes per month.
If your facility is producing large volumes of organic waste, it is best to partner with a reputable waste management service provider. BiobiN ensures that all clients are compliant with the norms and standards for organic waste management while creating a circular economy with organic waste by producing compost.
To view the updated Norms and Standards, visit this link.