Market Survey of the UK organics recycling industry - 2007/08 

This annual market survey of the UK composting and biological treatment industry for 2007/08 was carried out on behalf of the Association for Organics Recycling (AFOR) and the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) by M•E•L Research. It followed on from previous surveys implemented by or on behalf of the Association for Organics Recycling. 

The quantity of source segregated organic waste composted in 2007/08 was 4.5 million tonnes according to extrapolations based on the independently verified WasteDataFlow statistics. This was an increase of 9% on the revised estimate of 4.1 million tonnes of organic waste composted in 2006/07. In total, 88% of this was municipal waste with just under half of the municipal waste coming from materials deposited at civic amenity sites, and just under a further half from household kerbside collections.

Commenting on the recent survey, Jeremy Jacobs Managing Director of the Association said ' This survey reflects the continued growth within the organics sector in spite of the recessionary trend seen elsewhere and demonstrates that the markets for compost continues to grow, especially in the farming sector'

The sector is estimated to be worth in excess of £160 million with continued investment particularly in the processing of food waste through aerobic in vessel and anaerobic digestion technologies.

 To download a copy of the Market Survey please click Market survey of the UK organics recycling industry - 2007/8