Compost kitemark for Ireland

The Irish government and industry have been working together to develop a kitemark for high-quality compost in an effort to boost its value.


The kitemark or, to give it its full title, the Quality Standard for Source-Separated Biodegradable Material Derived Compost aims to stimulate the market for compost-based products.

“All of us here understand that waste can be turned into a resource,” said Environment Minister John Gormley.

“The establishment of an industry-based compost standard supports the long-term growth of the industry and ensures product satisfaction to maintain and grow consumer confidence. ”

“Quality is the key and customers must be satisfied that they a getting an excellent product. In practical terms, the standard that is being launched today will provide compost users with the clarity and certainty they demand for such products.”

While acknowledging the challenges in meeting Ireland’s targets for diversion of biodegradable waste under the Landfill Directive, the Minister re-iterated his commitment to source-segregation and said that source separated collection of organic waste, or ‘brown bin’ collections, are already in place in some areas, principally in Waterford City and County and Galway City.

Plans for the roll-out of brown bins are now at an advanced stage in many other local authority areas.

The kitemark was developed by Cré (Composting Association of Ireland) and funded by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Sam Bond

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