Vegware cups and lids certified for UK garden waste composting facilities

01 Aug 2018 --- Vegware’s compostable hot and cold cups and lids are now allowed at UK garden waste composting facilities, as long as milk and cream are the only animal by-products present, the company has announced. The project was a Vegware-run initiative together with REA’s Organics Recycling Group, approved by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Environment Agency and Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

With well over 100 open windrow composting facilities around the UK, this news dramatically increases the number of facilities allowed to process compostable drinks waste. It adds to the existing 53 in-vessel composting (IVC) facilities licensed to process food waste, over a third of which already accept Vegware’s compostable packaging.

This is a “game changer” for Vegware’s compostables, expanding composting opportunities for the company’s numerous clients who only serve drinks. They expect that soon, UK householders and businesses in many regions will be able to put Vegware compostable cups and lids in their garden waste bins. “We’re growing the UK’s circular economy – disposables made from plants, composted here in the UK, creating compost to feed British fields,” the company statement reads.

This doesn’t mean that Vegware cups can go in all garden waste bins starting today – it means the facilities are now officially allowed to process it, which is the first step. Now Vegware will start working through their environmental due diligence programme with the composting facilities and waste collectors, and expect to be able to announce good news for businesses and householders, region by region.

Certified compostable cups and lids
“This news shows how important compostability certification is. We think it’s vital to prove our products are compostable, especially where we use any plastic-looking materials such as PLA. We have the deepest set of compostability certification in our sector – it’s a major investment for us, but so important. And our independent certification means all Vegware’s hot and cold cups and lids get the governmental go-ahead for open windrow composting,” the news release reads.

Vegware’s stirrers are pure untreated wood, which is also allowable in open windrow composting. The new advice also allows used coffee grounds and loose-leaf tea. Tea bags and coffee capsules are only allowable if they hold a valid compostability certificate.

Collaborating with composters
Vegware set up our Environmental team in 2012, led by Group Recycling Consultant Eilidh Brunton. She and two recycling advisors work closely with the waste sector, increasing clients’ access to commercial composting and helping foodservice clients minimize contamination.

Brunton explains how the garden waste composting idea came about: “In the US, Vegware is composted in open windrow facilities, and the Isle of Man’s DEFA has recently approved Vegware’s compostable drinks-only waste for open windrow. We discussed this with the Organics Recycling Group, who explored the detail with the government agencies. We are delighted to have official approval, as this opens up new opportunities for Vegware’s hot cups, cold cups, lids and stirrers all to be composted together with garden waste here in the UK.”

“We already have sites keen to start a trial, and now we have the green light to start working through our due diligence process with these facilities. We expect that soon, UK householders and businesses in many regions will be able to put our compostable cups and lids in their garden waste bins,” Brunton adds.

Vegware works closely with REA’s Organics Recycling Group, the association which represents composters. Jeremy Jacobs, REA’s Technical Director, says: “Every year 300 million tons of new plastic are produced, so ensuring as much as possible is recycled and reused is an urgent and critical issue if we want to tackle plastic pollution in our soils, rivers and seas. Many plastics are durable and can take 600 years to break down. Avoiding plastic through the use of compostable packaging where possible is clearly to be welcomed.”

“We have worked closely with Vegware to bring about this change; their willingness to collaborate closely with the waste sector on compostability issues makes them an exemplary organization in partnership working,” he adds.

Charlie Trousdell, Chairman of REA’s Organics Recycling Group, the UK composting industry association, adds: “Vegware has worked closely on this with REA’s Organics Recycling Group. Their due diligence around compostability, certification and their efforts to ensure minimal contamination is an excellent example – demonstrating that making compostable packaging work takes more than simply selling packaging.”

Composting – regional, but growing
Commercial composting collections are not yet available in all UK regions, but Vegware is actively increasing coverage. Many waste collectors around the UK have an existing collection route taking used Vegware for composting with food waste. To help more clients access commercial composting, Vegware has launched its own collection, Close the Loop. This service is already in Scotland, Bristol, Gloucester and Worcester, with further expansion in development. In addition, some on-site composters are able to process used Vegware with food waste, which suits clients with outdoor space and a need for compost.

Vegware’s Environmental team also offer composting clients full support to minimize contamination, including effective bespoke bin signage, staff training and a range of communications tools to encourage correct recycling. This is vital to avoid sending contaminated waste to composting facilities.

Clear on-product labeling – the Green Leaf band
Vegware is phasing in their new Green Leaf band design, as a clear visual cue for compostability. The design can also be used on posters and bin signage to assist with behavior change and enable easy recycling. It has been welcomed by the waste sector and won Best Packaging Innovation at the Footprint Awards this year for providing clarity aiming to reduce contamination.

The company’s Green Tree collection is also popular for its bold environmental messaging in a tree word cloud design, available on a wide range of packaging items.

Drinks-only vs food waste – why is it important?
In the UK, food waste is only allowed to be processed at in-vessel composting or anaerobic digestion facilities. These processes reach 60-70ºC, killing any pathogens which may be present from meat or bones. These UK animal by-product regulations (ABPR) came into force after the UK’s Foot and Mouth outbreak, to ensure that the resulting fertilizer is safe to be spread on fields. The rules are different elsewhere:

• In 2018, the Isle of Man’s DEFA approved Vegware’s compostable drinks-only waste for open windrow.
• In the US, used Vegware is composted with food waste in open windrow facilities.

UK garden waste composting facilities are not suitable for processing animal by-products, but milk residues are now allowable on certified compostable drinks waste. The compostable cups and lids must hold a valid compostability certificate from an independent certification body. Vegware holds this certification for these products, available on request.

Edited by Joshua Poole