Past R&D Projects

Past projects are listed below. Click on the link to view the report or publication produced as a result of a particular project.

• In trying to reduce the amount of food waste being landfilled, the composting of food waste is becoming widespread with several councils throughout the UK set to introduce large scale food waste composting. One of the concerns regarding the composting of food waste, is there may be a possibility of introducing genetically modified material into the compost mix. This report explains what happens when genetically modified organisms (GMO) are introduced.
  
  GMO Final report
  
  
• An Analytical Survey of Compost Produced by the Community Sector in Scotland March 2007

  Compost produced by the community sector in Scotland was collected from 17 community composting sites selected for different sizes and using range composting technologies and geographically spread throughout Scotland. The samples were subjected to a limited range of tests based on the Publicly Available Specification for composted materials (BSI PAS 100:2005), focusing on toxicity, hygiene, stability and nutrient content.  Of the 17 samples, six failed the limits set by the PAS100:2005.  Three failing on microbiology, one for Salmonella, and two for E.coli, Three exceeded the heavy metal limits (one for Zink and two for Cadmium).  None failed on more than one parameter. 
  
  Project ref: R60012PUR, completed by The Composting Association: Scotland (TCAS) and the Community Recycling Network for Scotland (CRNS)
  
  

• Measurement and Modelling of Emissions from Three Composting Sites May 2007
  
  The focus of this project is on improving regulatory risk assessments. Ongoing research has improved the quality of source term data used in regulatory risk assessments and this study aimed to improve modelling of bioaerosols downwind of composting facilities, by examining the influences on variability of emissions.

  Project ref: Scottish Environment Protection Agency: Project S684 10002 & SNIFFER: Project UKPIR12 produced by the Centre for Resource Management and Efficiency, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University MK43 0AL UK

  
  
• Analysis of Current Biowaste Arisings and Treatment Methodologies in Scotland Aug 2006
  
  
• Best Integrated Transport Option for Waste
  The main purpose of this study was to provide a better understanding of
  the movement of wastes and its effects in Scotland, and to provide a
  tool for planners to ensure that waste management facilities can be
  located to minimise waste transport journey distances and emissions. The
  project looked at waste movements throughout the whole of Scotland with
  the ultimate aim of decreasing the impacts from the transport of waste.
  
  
• Resource Flow and Ecological Footprint for Scotland
  The Resource Flow and Ecological Footprint for Scotland study forms part
  of the Sustainable Resource Use Programme by Biffaward, and is a mass
  balance study of Scotland looking at resource flow and Ecological
  Footprint Analysis. This forms a baseline study which can be used to
  deliver a platform from which further research, study and data
  improvements can be made.
  
  
• Composting
  Composting plays a vital role in diverting waste from landfill and can be a valuable source of soil nutrients. One objective of this project is to develop a code of practice for the industry in partnership with the Scottish Executive, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Environment Agency and the Composting Association.Other objectives include offering training to SEPA staff to help them understand the composting process and to offer advice to the industry on to permit applications.
  
  The project also commissioned a market study into the amount of composting currently being carried out in Scotland . A full report of this study is available.
  
  
• Co-utilization of Rockdust, Mineral Fines and Compost
  
  This report examines the relevance and potential of techniques using rockdust to remineralize soils in Scotland. Rockdust (RD) is a generic term applied to fine materials produced as by-products of quarrying and mineral processing. Limited research has been undertaken to prove these claims in a Scottish context but there is now a body of evidence that is outlined in this report which overall implies that the use of RD can contribute to the Scottish environment, soil sustainability, national agricultural productivity and assist in meeting targets such as those for recycling and the mass-balance of industrial carbon through sequestration.
  
  
• Separate Waste Collection Systems Best Practice Review
  
  In January 2002, the Scottish Executive commissioned Enviros to investigate different collection systems for source-separated household waste. The study aimed to provide information for local authorities and to offer good practice guidance for the development of separate household waste collection services in Scotland. The report gives comprehensive advice to local authorities wishing to implement a separate waste collection system.