compost regulations

If your feedstock includes food scraps:�You must be able to prove�your�compost�meets�the�NSW�Food�Waste�Compost�Exemption�before it is applied to land�otherwise�you�and�your�end�user�are�breaching the POEO�(Waste)�regulation.�You must provide�your�customers�with�written�proof�the�compost�is�covered�by�the�NSW�Food�Waste�Compost�Exemption.

�If�you�are�composting�on�a�potentially�contaminated�site�(e.g.�landfill)�you must�test�your�compost�for�chemical�and�heavy�metal�contamination�so�that�you�and�your�buyers�are�aware�if�there�are�any�restrictions�on�its�use�or�sale.

�The�tests�and�testing�methodology�for�demonstrating�pasteurisation�and�for�chemical�and�heavy�metal�contamination�are�outlined�in�the�NSW�Biosolids�Guidelines.

�Australia�has�a�voluntary�Compost�Standard.�Compost�that�meets�the�AS4454�compost�standard�is�nice,�but�compost�that�meets�pasteurisation/pathogen�reduction�thresholds�outlined�in�the�NSW�Food�Waste�Compost�Exemption�is�compulsory.

�In�our�experience�of�continuous�composting�over�three�years,�if�you�follow�the�Groundswell�Composting�Process�faithfully�and�take�care�with�the�sampling�methodology,�you�should�have�no�problems�meeting�the�regulations.�

Key documents:

Important:

�NSW Food Waste Compost Exemption�available�at:��www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/waste/ex08foodcompost.pdf

Environmental Guidelines – Use and Disposal of Biosolids Products, NSW�EPA,�2000�(referred�to�as�‘the�Biosolids�Guidelines’)�available�through�publications�at�www.environment.nsw.gov.au

AS4454�Australian�Compost�Standard.

What tests should we do?

You MUST do these tests:

NSW�Biosolids�Pathogen�Reduction�Test�(also�referred�to�as�a�‘microbical�stabilisation’�test).�

NSW�Biosolids�Chemical�Contaminants�and�Heavy�Metal�Tests.

It is DESIRABLE that you do this test:

AS4454�Compost�Standard�–�compliance�test.�

It is SENSIBLE if you also do this test:

Compost�Analysis�that�includes�a�general�analysis�(some�overlap�with�AS4454)�plus�available�and�total�nutrients,�Cation�Exchange�Capacity�(CEC),�Exchangeable�Cations,�Cation�Balance�and�suggested�amendments.�This�is�the�test�that�will�be�most�helpful�to�farmers�and�other�end�users.��It�does�not�have�a�regulatory�use.�We�used�SWEP�Laboratories1�for�these�tests.�It�makes�sense�to�use�a�laboratory�that�your�farmers�or�end�users�trust.�

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1www.swep.com.au

i n f o r m a t i o n s h e e t

Pasteurisation/Pathogen Reduction/Microbial StabilisationPasteurisation�ensures�weeds,�seeds,�spores,�pathogens�and�diseases�are�no�longer�present�in�the�compost.�Pasteurisation�occurs�at�55–70�degrees�c2.

The Food Waste Compost Exemption states:

Pasteurisation means a process whereby the food waste and/or raw mulch, source separated garden organics, forestry and sawmill residues and urban wood residues, are treated to significantly reduce the numbers of plant and animal pathogens and plant propagules. It must undergo:

a) Appropriate turning of outer material to the inside of the windrow so that the whole mass is subjected to a minimum of 3 turns with the internal temperatures reaching a minimum of 55°C for 3 consecutive days before each turn, or

b) An alternative process that guarantees the same level of pathogen reduction as required by ARMCANZ, and the elimination of plant propagules.

Because�we�do�not�turn�our�compost�three�times,�we�do�not�demonstrate�pasteurisation�as�a�result�of�process�so�we�need�to�demonstrate�it�though�option�b:�‘an alternative process that guarantees the same level of pathogen reduction as required by ARMCANZ, and the elimination of plant propagules’.

ARMCANZ�means�the�Australian Guidelines for Sewerage Systems – Biosolids Management 3,�published�in�1995�by�the�ARMCANZ�Water�Technology�Committee,�Canberra.�If�you�are�in�NSW,�the�NSW Biosolids Guidelines�trump�the�ARMCANZ�guidelines�from�a�regulatory�perspective,�so�we�must�look�to�the�Biosolids�Guidelines�for�our�pathogen�reduction�test.�

The pathogen reduction test, outlined in the Biosolids Guidelines is:

Stabilisation Grade A Microbial Standards

Parameter� � Standard

E-coli� � <100�MPN�per�gram�(dry�weight)

Faecal�coliforms� � <1,000�MPN�per�gram�(dry�weight)

Salmonella�sp.� � Not�Detected/50�grams�of�final�product�(dry�weight)�

MPN�=�most�probably�number

Depending�on�your�situation,�you�may�decide�it�is�easier�or�preferable�to�demonstrate�pasteurisation�by�process (option�A).�In�this�case,�you�can�successfully�add�a�third�turn�and�inoculation�phase�to�the�Groundswell�Composting�Process�prior�to�the�maturation�phase,�or�after�screening.�Follow�the�same�process�for�Groundswell Information Sheet – Reprocessing to address a High E-Coli Result.�Accurate�temperature�records�would�need�to�be�kept�as�proof�of�pasteurisation.�

Elimination of Plan Propagules

In�theory,�a�composting�process�that�produces�sufficient�heat�to�achieve�pathogen�reduction�will�also�eliminate�plan�propagules�(seeds�or�spores).�You�can�do�your�own�plant�propagule�test,�get�an�agronomist�to�do�it�or�pay�for�it�to�be�done�by�a�laboratory�(as�an�optional�extra�in�the�AS4454�text).�The�methodology�for�the�plant�propagule�test�is�outlined�in�Appendix�M�of�the�AS4454�Compost�Standard.��

You�need�to�be�able�to�demonstrate�that�no�seeds�survive�your�composting�process,�so�do�the�tests�regularly�and�keep�good�records.�

2�www.recycledorganics.com/infosheets/3pqc/IS3-06.pdf�����������

3�Now�known�as:�National�Resource�Management�Ministerial�Council�Australian Guidelines for Sewerage Treatment Systems – Biosolids Management, Nov.�2004

For updates and more information on the Groundswell project go to: www.groundswellproject.blogspot.com

Written by Simone Dilkara, 2010. Graphic design/illustration by Carolyn Brooks

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License and can be reproduced providing the Groundswell project is acknowledged as the original source.

The Groundswell Project was assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust