Composting in the European Union
The European Commission, DG XI, has published an open invitation to tender for a study contract in the field of waste management concerning composting. The aim of the study is to provide an up-to-date view on the situation of composting and anaerobic digestion in the European Community, as an estimate of the recovery of organic waste. The projected targets for recovery of waste tentatively set on a regional or on a national level should ideally reflect the actual composition of the municipal solid waste (MSW) streams. Therefore, the implementation of recovery systems for the biggest fraction of the MSW stream, the organic fraction, has to be thoroughly studied. The goals of this study will be: - To carry out a survey of the existing laws, rules, regulations and guidelines already applied or planned in the Member States concerning source separation, composting and biogasification; - To provide information on the state of the art of the existing technologies of composting and biogasification, including the different systems of source separation and collection; - To survey potential compost markets and, through a comparative life-cycle inventory, give an in-depth view on the conditions for a sustainable market; - To prepare a proposal for an EU-wide strategy for the promotion of organic waste recycling, based on the analysis of the waste streams, the implementation of existing and planned treatment facilities for composting and biogasification, but also including recycling and incineration with energy recovery and the possible transport routes and the existing or potential markets for the end-products and the laws, rules, regulations and guidelines existing or in preparation. Requests for the tender documents should be sent to: European Commission DG XI/A-2 Finance and Contracts 200 rue de la Loi B-1049 Brussels Fax +32-2-2994449 Tenders are to be sent to: European Commission Directorate-General for Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection (DG XI) Mr. B. Sinnott Unit XI/A-2 Finance and Contracts 200 rue de la Loi (BU-5 3/158) B-1049 Brussels