Ireland, October 8, 2024 – An unprecedented agreement has been reached between the fresh produce industry and composting organizations to accelerate the transition to certified compostable Price Look Up (PLU) stickers. This intent was reached at a first-ever worldwide meeting in Niagara Falls, Canada, on October 1st, with the discussions leading to the agreement to develop a multi-phase framework to support this transition through the development and adoption of a global standard for compostable PLUs. The planned transition to certified compostable PLUs in the European Union (EU) by 2028 provides the added momentum to accelerate a worldwide adoption to this collective goal. Additional meetings within the fresh produce and composting sectors are planned in the coming months to expand engagement and finalize the action plan by the end of 2024.
“Moving to a certified compostable format for PLUs is a priority for organics recycling facilities,” said Tony Breton Chair of Cré and member of the International Compost Alliance (ICA). “The current plasticized format is not compatible with producing quality compost nor can the stickers be easily removed during the organics recycling process and can result in the collected organics being sent to landfill or incineration, contributing to climate change and diminishing an important resource to build soil health. Because of the global sourcing network for produce, the members of the International Compost Alliance applaud the produce industry in recognizing the importance of this transition and its timeliness to ensure both our industries can positively contribute to food production and supply as well as take care of the health and well-being of our soils.
“CPMA is delighted to see the fresh produce and composting industries work together towards a global standard for compostable PLU stickers. Given PLUs are an integral part of global fresh produce supply chains, this global dialogue is a must”, said CPMA President Ron Lemaire. “Accelerating the adoption of compostable PLUs is a global priority given the risk that compostable PLU requirements will increasingly diverge from country to country. The coming together of fresh produce and composting industries will help reduce the burden on complex fresh produce supply chains, while also ensuring that food waste is increasingly recycled into value-added products.”
The meeting was jointly organized by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) and the Compost Council of Canada, with the support of the Government of Canada. In-person and virtual attendance included representatives of the fresh produce industry, including members of the International Federation of Produce Standards – IFPS (the International Fresh Produce Association, United Fresh New Zealand, CPMA, Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada), Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (OFVGA), as well as technical experts from leading global PLU manufacturers. The global compost industry was represented through the International Compost Alliance (ICA) with in-person representation from Australia, the United States, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Italy, the European Union and Canada. Government representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) were also in attendance.
The meeting provided a unique opportunity for the fresh produce industry and composting industry to better understand their respective positions on PLU stickers. This included the fresh produce industry outlining the critical role PLUs play in helping accurately and effectively identify fresh produce for enhanced traceability, inventory control and pricing at retail. The composting industry outlined the impacts of discarded PLU stickers accompanying fresh produce waste sent to organics recycling, including consumer-sourced, commercial and business organic waste sources. Given most PLU stickers are currently non-compostable and difficult to remove, physically contaminating the organics recycling process and adversely impacting the finished compost quality and value, the meeting provided a strategic opportunity to identify a way forward which recognizes each industry’s respective priorities.
Through open and collaborative dialogue, industry representatives acknowledged the need to accelerate the development and adoption of certified compostable PLUs. Given the global nature of fresh produce supply chains, and the potential regional variability of industrial composting processing requirements, industry representatives acknowledged the benefit of working together to develop and adopt a single global standard for compostable PLU stickers that is compatible with compost standards around the world. It was also recognized that these efforts could help promote the increased recycling of organic materials, helping contribute to the reduction of food loss and waste.
Outcomes of the meeting included identifying a draft framework to move forward, including the draft elements of a global compostable PLU standard, comprised of compositional as well as in-field testing requirements. A draft multi-phased roadmap towards timely and global adoption of a standard that reflects the evolving global regulatory landscape was also identified.
Next steps include broader engagement of industry representatives with their respective regional and global counterparts to disseminate the meeting’s key findings. This will include broader engagement with fresh produce stakeholders in the EU and other key markets where PLU requirements are rapidly evolving. A Compostable PLU Standard Action Plan will be developed and launched by industry stakeholders before the end of 2024, leading to actions to promote and accelerate the development and adoption of certified compostable PLUs starting in 2025.
Global Meeting Advances Transition to Certified Compostable Produce Stickers
Cré Annual Conference 2023
The Annual Cré Conference
Organic Recycling Harnesses Nature’s Carbon Sink
Wednesday 13th September Crowne Plaza, Santry, Dublin
Keynote speaker: Eamon Ryan, Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Minister for Transport.
For a full list of speakers and topics please visit www.creconference.ie
This is the conference that anyone involved in the waste, composting and anaerobic digestion sectors should not miss.
Planning for an Anaerobic Digestion Facility Training Course
8th & 9th November, 2023 Crowne Plaza, Dundalk
22nd November, Kildare
The details on the courses can be found here
To book click here
With the impending introduction of new incentives from government, such as the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) to produce renewable energy, anaerobic digestion (AD) is a financially viable technology that offers huge potential for revenue generation for farmers and waste operators alike. Anaerobic digestion produces a high energy containing gas, known as biogas, which can be used for green energy production. The technology is simple, yet robust, and well developed on multiple feedstocks.
To facilitate the growth of the sector Cré developed a “Planning for Anaerobic Digestion Facility” training course. The course is a highly intensive three-day training course targeted specifically at projects in Ireland. The course was delivered twice previously with over fifty people attending. The course will give participants a clear understanding of what anaerobic digestion is, basic design criteria, planning and regulatory requirements, grid connection, project economics, financing, and much more.
The course includes visits to operational anaerobic digestion plants and will prepare participants wishing to develop their knowledge in anaerobic digestion plants and to up skill in anaerobic digestion operations.
The objective of the course is to educate individuals involved in anaerobic digestion, be it farmers, waste operators, planners, decision markers with all the knowledge to assist them in developing an anaerobic digestion project. The course will not allow participants to design their own plant but will provide them with sufficient knowledge when dealing with technology providers, government agencies, planners, banks, to make well informed decisions.
Food Waste Recycling in Ireland – A stunted opportunity primed for growth 01.06.2022
Pictured at the launch of the Cré report are Tony Breton (Chair of Cré), Ossian Smyth, Minister of State with special responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy & Percy Foster (CEO of Cré)
Over 300,000 tonnes of municipal organic waste collected last year in Ireland
Less than 15% of wasted food recycled in Ireland
Exports of organic waste contribute over 1 million road truck kilometres
Yesterday at the St. Stephen Green Club, Dublin, Cré published a report which show despite recent growth and improvements in food waste collection Ireland is lagging in its ability to deliver true climate benefits by limiting the amount recycled locally. Data shows that of the 300,000 tonnes of municipal food and garden waste collected in Ireland in 2020 over 100,000 tonnes of it was exported to facilities in Northern Ireland. Whilst being legally acceptable and still able to contribute to Ireland’s national recycling targets, the result is organic recycling facilities in Ireland are being pushed to the brink.
The Environmental Protection Agency report[1] estimates that Ireland generates approximately 1 million tonnes of food waste. In Ireland we are currently collecting under a third of this and recycling less than half locally into quality compost and digestate which can be used in the agriculture as a soil improver, fertiliser replacement or as a peat replacement in the horticultural sector. To add to the environmental impact of not seizing this opportunity to the max, exports to the north contribute over 1 million road truck kilometres a year.
Tony Breton (Chair of Cré) said “Ireland has to recognise the economic and environmental opportunities which are thrown away everyday as garden and food wastes. It is failure of common sense when organic waste, which can be transformed locally is transported hundred of kilometres to save someone a few euro with complete disregard for the pollution, local job losses and creation of barriers to local investment it causes.”
Quality composts and digestates are available today to supply nutrients and organic matter which benefit our soils whilst helping farmers avoid the costs of expensive fossil fuel based chemical fertilisers.
Keith Swan from the conservation agriculture farming group BASE Ireland said “as the beginning and end of the compost & digestate chain, we feel it would be if huge advantage to Irish farmers and their soils, to have food and garden wastes recycled locally. This would assist in closing the nutrient loop in agriculture and build carbon content in Irish soils”
Tony said “We call on everyone to support National Food Waste Recycling Week and to separate correctly their food and garden waste into their brown bin but equally we call on government to take the opportunity of the Circular Economy Bill to enable investable local solutions to create the high value, high quality organic fertilisers and soil improvers demanded by Irish farmers.”
Ends
* – 1 million kilometre calculation. The Cré report identified a net of 93KT organic waste exports to NI from Ireland. Considering, the max payload of 1 truck is 26T, and the distance from Dublin to Belfast of 166KM, you have 3576 truck movements in each direction. 3576x2x166=1187232 KM. It is clearly an estimation, it is not possible under the current transparency rules to fully understand the movement of waste inter and intra Ireland.
Contacts:
Percy Foster, Chief Executive
E: percy@cre.ie
T: 086812960
Notes to Editors:
About the Cré – Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland CLG
Established in 2001, Cré is the Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland. Cré (which is the Irish word for ‘soil’), is a non-profit association of public and private organisations, dedicated to growing the biological treatment sector. Cré supports the production of high-quality outputs, assists the delivery of Government waste diversion and bioenergy targets, and promotes the creation of sustainable indigenous jobs.
Cré has a broad membership base ranging from compost and anaerobic digestion facilities, waste companies, local authorities, technology providers, local authorities, consultants and third level colleges. Cré is recognised by Government and agencies as the voice of the industry in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is frequently called on to give the industry view on future policy and legislation. Cré is a member of the European Compost Network, the World Biogas Association, the European Biogas Association and the World Compost Alliance. Cré has a Board of Directors and technical committees. See www.cre.ie
Recycling Food Waste is a positive climate action
National Food Waste Recycling Week which runs from the 30th May until the 6th June 2022 is a new national campaign from MyWaste.ie to encourage people to recycle their food waste.
A previous study by the Environmental Protection Agency found that approximately 50% of household organic waste was being disposed of in the wrong bins. By segregating food waste correctly, it can be transformed into renewable energy and bio-fertilisers for horticulture and agricultural use.
Minister Ossian Smyth, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy said: “National Food Waste Recycling Week is a wonderful opportunity to create awareness of how important it is that we recycle our food waste, so that it can be put to further crucial use as fuel and bio-fertiliser for example.
Food waste is a significant contributor to carbon emissions, adding to climate change. The best way to address this is to try to cut down on food waste in the first place. But it is inevitable that there will almost always be food matter left over in homes and businesses so recycling it means that it does not just go to landfills, it becomes a useful resource instead, contributing positively to the growth of Ireland’s bio-economy.”
The campaign is based on research into why there may be some barriers to recycling food waste and will provide useful tips and advice on how people can start to recycle more of their food waste, thereby increasing understanding and awareness of the role that people can play in Ireland’s broader circular and green economy. It is being managed by Ireland’s three regional waste management planning offices*. The campaign is funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
Throughout the week, events will be held nationwide, supported by local authorities, the Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland (Cré) and the Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA). One of the highlight events will be an exhibition at this year’s Bloom Festival, which takes place over the extended June Bank Holiday weekend.
The National Food Waste Recycling Week Exhibition tent hosted by My Waste.ie will give people the chance to see first-hand how food waste recycling works, with a number of interactive exhibits. Experts will be on hand to demonstrate how easily food can be recycled and to answer questions people might have. Special guests include: Anja Murray, ecologist and presenter of RTE’s Eco Eye; Marie Staunton, Gardener and Conor Spacey, Culinary Director @FoodSpace who is also involved in the Chefs Manifesto working towards Strategic Development Goal 2 (Sustainable Solutions to End Hunger) with the UN and World Food Programme.
Pauline McDonogh, Waste Prevention Coordinator, Southern Waste Region said: “We would like to thank the people that are currently recycling their food waste. We hope this new national campaign will encourage more people to recycle food waste. “We have undertaken research into the barriers against food waste recycling and these learnings have underpinned this campaign. By providing practical tools and understanding we want to show people what can be put into their food waste recycling bin, the importance of separating waste food from its packaging, and the reasons why doing so is good for the Irish environment.” she continued.
People are encouraged to check locally for information on one of the many events happenings nationwide and receive one of 15,000 food waste caddies, each with a starter pack of caddy liners and an information leaflet which are being distributed throughout the week-long campaign.
Martin Eves resigns as Chairman & Cré Board elects Tony Breton as new Chairman
| 17.12.2021 Martin Eves Resigns as Chairman & Cré Board elects Tony Breton as new Chairman After 12 years of dedicated service, Martin Eves steps down as Chairman whilst remaining on the Board. Today (16/12/21) the Board of Directors of Cré – the Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland, announced the appointment of Tony Breton as its new chairman. Tony joined the Board in 2017 and replaces Martin Eves who has served as Chairman since 2009 and is remaining on the Board. “It has been a great honour to have served as Chairman of the Cré Board of Directors,” said Martin. “I am incredibly proud of our accomplishments over the past 12 years. We have helped drive the increasingly widespread separate collection of food wastes from households and businesses across Ireland. As a Board and as an Association, we have overcome many challenges in our goal to deliver a policy environment where our members can flourish. I would like to personally thank our CEO Percy Foster for all his support and call on all our members to continue to engage and support the Association as it moves into a new era. I am confident in our future and in Tony’s leadership as we continue to grow and deliver our mission for our members.” Tony, a Chartered Resource Manager, has been actively involved in the organics recycling industry since 2000 when he joined the UK Composting Association to undertake a market development project and he rapidly progressed to become its Communications Manager in 2002. Since leaving the Association in 2005, his focus has been on driving systemic change in the delivery of high performing organic waste systems and working with the global leader in the bioeconomy, Novamont. He is also a Director of the UK based Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association and a member of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology’s Organics Steering Group (the UK equivalent to Cré). “I am deeply honoured to have been appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Cré,” said Breton. “Cré is a unique organisation which has consistently delivered well beyond its means and Martin has left me big boots to fill. I look forward working closely with all our members and stakeholder partners to further our industry and the wider bioeconomy in Ireland. I also look forward to working closely with Percy our dedicated and passionate Chief Executive, as well as our experienced and dedicated Board of Directors.” “I’m beyond grateful to Martin for his vision, dedication, passion and friendship over the past 12 years which have helped pushed Cré to being the leading and most respected voice for our sector in Ireland” said Percy Foster, Chief Executive. “Equally, I am excited for the future under Tony’s leadership. Tony brings a wealth of experience in both the organics industry and in association management which I am sure will be critical as Cré continues to support our members as they strive to deliver healthy soils and peat replacements for Ireland.” ENDS Contact: Percy Foster, CEO Cré – Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland T: 0868129260 E: percy@cre.ie |
Ireland has potential to avoid emissions from 44,000 cars by using compost to store carbon in soils
Press Release (15.12.2021)
Ireland has potential to avoid emissions from 44,000 cars by using compost to store carbon in soils
Today, Cré launches a report on the contribution of compost to soil carbon sequestration. Cré believes that soil carbon sequestration is one of the critical paths to achieve net-zero emission.
The Cré report is timely as the European Commission is expected to publish a policy document on its carbon farming initiative today, which aiming to increase carbon sequestration and boost the income of farmers, along with providing an environmental benefit.
Furthermore, based on the current scientific evidence, Cré believes that compost plays a leading role in optimising soil carbon sequestration and improving soil health. Research has demonstrated that 60–150 kg of CO2 equivalent is sequestered in the soil for every tonne of compost applied.
By organically recycling the hundreds of thousands of tonnes food and garden waste generated by households and businesses every years in Ireland to produce high quality compost the resulting benefits for carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions savings are to equivalent to taking 44,000 cars off the road every year.
Julian Beatty, Cré Carbon Task Group Leader, said: “As a nation built on agriculture, we recognise the importance of soil health. There is a presumption our soils are healthy, but unfortunately, not just in Ireland but globally, soils are being depleted at a frightening rate, and we must act now. By recycling all our organic waste back to soil in the form of high-quality compost, we will not only improve soil health but, as this report shows, will sequester carbon, so essential for our climate goals. I want to thank everyone who helped put this report together and urge policymakers and stakeholders to read it and engage with Cré on its call to action.”
Within the report, Cré outlines a number of recommendations to maximise the potential of organic recycling of food and garden waste in the context of carbon sequestration and soil health
CRÉ’S CALL TO ACTION:
- In line with scientific evidence, Cré is recommending valorising the role of compost in soil carbon sequestration.
- The Government should incentivise agriculture (livestock, tillage and horticulture) to improve soil carbon sequestration and farmers to trade carbon credits.
- There is a need to incentivise an increase in the quality and quantity of biowaste collected and processed to increase the supply of good quality compost available to the market.
- There are currently no comprehensive field trials in Ireland using organic ameliorant (e.g. composted green/ biowaste) that examine carbon sequestration in soil. Fields trials should be established
- Cré supports any action that recognises the value of carbon sequestration in mitigating climate change and progress to net zero.
The report was prepared by the Cré Carbon Task Group: Dr Brian Murphy (Enrich), Percy Foster (Cré), Karen Mahon (OCAE) and Julian Beatty (Nova-Q).
ENDS
Contact:
Percy Foster, CEO
Cré – Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland
T: 0868129260
E: percy@cre.ie
Cre Online Festival 2021
Cré Online Festival 2021
21, 22 & 23 September
| 3-5pm Each Day
The Future is Now
see www.creconference.ie
This year the annual Cré Conference (21st, 22nd, 23rd September) will again be hosted as an online event of 2-hour sessions each day. Enabling you the flexibility to pick the sessions that interest you most.
We welcome members of the Compost Council of Canada who will be with us throughout. Join us as we listen to esteemed local and international speakers discussing topical issues and sharing their insights. Virtual tours are included for what is promising to be a very interesting conference.
Sessions are recorded and will be available afterwards for replay to all who register for the event.
Development of Quality Standards for Compost and Digestate in Ireland
Development of Quality Standards for Compost and Digestate in Ireland
The EPA has published the Research 375: Development of Quality Standards for Compost and Digestate in Ireland. In Ireland, there are no national end-of-waste criteria for compost and digestate derived from source-separated materials. This study developed a quality standard for digestate and an updated standard for compost, it also recommends a strategy on how Ireland should implement national end-of-waste criteria for compost and digestate. It also examined best practice in other countries and options for having end-of-waste criteria.
Project Highlights: Watch the project highlights video
On behalf of the research team, I would like to thank the valuable input from members of the project steering committee, namely Caroline Murphy (EPA), Vivienne Ahern (Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications), Professor James Clark (University of York), Patrick Barrett (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) and John Clarke (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine); as well as Karen Roche (Project Manager on behalf of the EPA).
Link to the Report: http://www.epa.ie/researchandeducation/research/researchpublications/eparesearch2030reports/research375.html
Authors: Percy Foster and Munoo Prasad
EPA-funded research generates a scientific base to support environmental protection. Projects are carefully targeted to deliver on three key areas: Identifying pressures; Informing policy; and Developing solutions
Identify Pressures
In Ireland, there are no national end-of-waste criteria for compost and digestate derived from source-separated materials. There are varying quality standards being used by composting and anaerobic digestion plants. Overall, the system needs a uniform set of quality standards for compost and digestate, which would replace existing standards being applied. This study will also recommend a strategy on how Ireland should implement national end-of-waste criteria for compost and digestate.
Inform Policy
Recent European Union (EU) circular economy and bioeconomy policies and the New European Green Deal promote the recycling of nutrients from organic wastes into products that can be used as soil improvers and fertilisers, thereby reducing the use of mineral fertilisers. This has renewed interest in the use of compost and digestate as potential fertilisers. This study developed a quality standard for digestate and an updated standard for compost. It also examined best practice in other countries and options for having end-of-waste criteria.
Develop Solutions
The research developed should be used by the National Standard Authority of Ireland to update Irish Standard (IS 441) on compost and develop a new IS standard for digestate. The findings of this study can be used in an application to the Environmental Protection Agency by industry for national end-of-waste standards for compost and digestate. The possible approach that could be taken in Ireland to define end-of-waste criteria is by implementing either biowaste ordinance legislation or a national fertiliser regulation. It should include the requirement that compost or anaerobic digestion plants proposing to produce an end-of-waste product be compliant with a Quality Assurance Scheme that is monitored by a quality assurance organisation. By achieving end-of-waste status, it generates a level playing field. It also supports the development of a circular economy while still respecting the precautionary principle by avoiding pollution when compost and digestate are used on soil.
This project was funded under the EPA Research Programme 2014-2020. The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. It is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, which has a statutory function of coordinating and promoting environmental research.
The twitter account for the project is- https://twitter.com/Cre_CompDig
ENDS
Further Information contact:
Percy Foster, percy@cre.ie. T: 086- 8129260
“DISCLAIMER: Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this press release, complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor the authors accept any responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in part or in full, as a consequence of any person acting or refraining from acting, as a result of a matter contained in this press release.”
Notes to Editor:
“EPA Research Programme 2014–2020 The EPA’s current Research Programme 2014–2020 is built around three pillars – Sustainability, Climate and Water. More information about the EPA Research Programme can be found by visiting the EPA website where you can subscribe to the Research Newsletter. This provides news and updates about research calls, events and publications that are of relevance to researchers and other interested parties. You can also follow EPA Research on Twitter @EPAResearchNews for the information and developments about the Research Programme and its projects.”