Sustainability in the Food Chain * Sustainability in the Food Chain * Institute of Food Research: Exploitation Platform

About the COMPEAT project

  • Project Sponsor: Defra
  • Project Number: HL0179
  • Project Title: A Growing Media Peat Replacement from Composted Food-Processing Waste

Purpose and significance of the project

Peat is used by the majority of commercial growers and recreational gardeners due to its aeration and water-holding properties. Growers are faced with increasing environmental, consumer and legislative pressures to avoid the use of peat. The UK has used over 94% of its available peat supplies and Government has asked for a 90% reduction in peat usage by 2010.

Food-processing companies must also reduce the quantities of food-processing waste that goes to landfill. It may be possible to address both challenges together if the food-processing waste can be used to create a high-quality alternative to peat.

A feasibility study has previously demonstrated that composted food waste could provide a potentially suitable and sustainable main constituent of growing media as a replacement for peat.

At the Institute of Food Research, a state-of-the-art controlled composting bioreactor facility is used to control precisely the bio-conversion of food-processing waste materials. This computer controlled facility ensures uniform biodegradation and will enable understanding of the physicochemistry, the biology of composting and the quality characteristics of peat that have to be emulated.

Expected benefits to industry

  • Reduce the 222 million tonnes per year of food waste produced across Europe and the amount of biowaste sent to landfill.
  • Reduce peat usage and help meet Government targets.
  • Produce a reduced peat growing media acceptable to growers with a potential annual benefit of £6 - 12 million per annum.

The Consortium

The project partners are: Bulrush Horticulture Ltd, the Association for Organics Recycling, Del Monte Fresh Produce (UK) Ltd, Farplant Sales Ltd, the Horticultural Development Company, the Institute of Food Research, Organic Recycling Ltd, Madestein (UK) Ltd, Diverse Technologies Ltd, Carlsberg and Lincolnshire Herbs Ltd.

Latest News

17 Feb 2011 - New composting process recognised in Grower of the Year Awards. Click here.

Who to contact for further information:

Professor Keith Waldron
Institute of Food Research
Norwich Research Park
Colney
Norwich
NR4 7UA
UK
Phone: +44 (0) 1603 255000
Fax: +44 (0) 1603 507723

E-mail: keith.waldron@ifr.ac.uk

 

Sustainability in the Food Chain Exploitation Platform Copyright Institute of Food Research Institute of Food Research