Discovery Compost

[Image: Waste - Discovery Compost]

Dundee City Council are currently working towards attaining PAS100 certification.

This is a publicly available specification which specifies minimum requirements for the composting process. It covers the whole process starting with the materials from which the compost is made right through to how the compost is labelled. It is a way of defining quality so that both compost producers know they are producing a quality product and buyers know they are getting quality compost which is fit for purpose.

Domestic garden waste is collected from the kerbside and taken to the Riverside Composting Facility where it is mixed with suitable green commercial waste from parks, along with other landscaping and commercial operations.

The fresh material is shredded and mixed using a high volume shredder and placed into traditional "Windrows".

The windrows are continually monitored to ensure temperatures are sufficiently high enough to eliminate weed seeds and any potential plant and human pathogens present. The process is monitored continually and samples are regularly inspected to ensure no contamination.

Microbiological activity causes the temperature to rise to about 70°C which destroys weed seeds and harmful bacteria.

The initial composting process usually lasts for two or three months followed by a maturation period of up to nine months.

When the compost has reached the required maturity, the material is screened to remove any oversized objects. (10 mm and 20 mm screening)

It takes approximately 9 months for this process to achieve the quality required to produce "Discovery Compost".

Discovery Compost is now a high quality alternative to peat-based products and can be used as a soil conditioner, mulch, or top soil substitute for domestic gardens, or larger scale projects such as commercial landscaping and sports arenas.

Discovery Compost helps to improve soil condition by rebuilding the organic fraction.
Discovery Compost is peat free.
Discovery Compost not only has an important role in the field of waste management but can also play an important role in local conservation.
Discovery Compost is available in tonne quantities to landscape gardeners, landscape architects, etc and can be purchased for all types of horticultural and agricultural use in quantities as required.

For further information contact:
Waste Management Department
34 Harefield Road
Dundee DD2 3JW
Tel: 01382 432777
Fax: 01382 432746

This information is provided by the Waste Management Department