SITA UK has developed a number of sustainable markets for green compost products at local, regional and national levels. To supply these markets SITA UK has developed two key brands – APEX and SITA Organo.
APEX
APEX was created to supply quality assured green compost products to the landscaping industry and the horticultural market. Through APEX, over 250,000 tonnes of green waste is composted each year. APEX is the only organisation that supplies green compost on a commercial basis for use nationwide.
APEX has won a number of awards for its products and innovative management. These include:
- 2002 – The Composting Association Jim Balance Award for Marketing
- 2003 – National Recycling Award for Industry Initiative
- 2003 – National Recycling Award Commendation for Recycled Product
- 2004 – Suez International Innovation Award
- 2004 – Business Commitment to the Environment Award
Organo
Organo is a SITA UK created brand for marketing and selling green compost products across the UK. Products supplied through Organo include:
- 0-5mm green compost
- 0-10mm green compost
- 10-25mm green compost
- 10-40mm biofuel
- >40mm oversize
Key markets
SITA UK supplies compost products to the following key markets:
Landscaping
Green compost and soil in compliance with BS 5751, the British Standard for topsoil for use on large landscaping projects. Each year, over 200,000 cubic metres of topsoil is supplied to projects which have included: Eden Project, Cornwall; Millennium Village, London; British Airways HQ; Blue Water Shopping Centre, Kent; and Vodafone HQ, Canary Wharf, London.
Horticulture
Green compost for use as a soil conditioner and peat replacement for use in the horticultural retail market. The major retailers in the national retail market have all declared that they will eliminate the use of peat in products for the consumer before 2013. The retail market currently uses approximately four million cubic metres of peat per year. As a result of this decision, a significant requirement was created for the use of a large volume quality product to gradually replace peat in soil improvers, multi purpose composts and specialist composts. Over 100,000 cubic metres of green compost is supplied to the retail market, making SITA UK the largest supplier of green compost to this market. Through its work with William Sinclair Horticulture SITA UK supplies the peat free element for both the J Arthur Bowers and New Horizons brands of peat free and peat reduced compost for sale through Homebase, Wye Vale Garden Centres, B&Q and independent garden centres. New Horizons has consistently been awarded the best peat free compost by Which.
Bagged market
Through Organo, SITA UK supplies peat free soil conditioner for sale through a number of contracts with Local Authorities. Through this market over 50,000 bags per year are sold through contracts including: Lancashire County Council, Leicestershire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council, South Derbyshire District Council, Warwickshire County Council, Northamptonshire County Council, Croydon Council, and Solihull MBC.
Bulk market
Through Organo, SITA UK supplies green compost to local, regional and national customers for use in a number of markets. Through this market over 100,000 cubic metres of green compost products are supplied to customers including: agriculture for use as a soil conditioner, landscapers, nurseries, growing media manufacturers, restoration and remediation projects, and as biofuel.
Bio compost
SITA UK produces bio compost from its Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) processes. We are actively developing suitable sustainable markets for bio compost rather than disposing of the material to landfill as stabilised fill or to thermal treatment. We use the same quality protocol - Management and Administration System for Compost (MASC) - to ensure the process and the quality of the bio compost are suitable for its intended use. A standard has not yet been developed for bio compost, so SITA UK uses the same levels listed in PAS 100 and additional analysis for other potential contaminants.
Currently, SITA UK has developed restoration and remediation markets for bio compost and is developing sustainable markets in specialised agricultural sectors, such as energy crops, for future use of bio compost.
Land restoration
SITA UK uses compost in the restoration of landfills when they reach the end of their operational life. Dependant on the type of landfill, habitat and planning conditions, landfills can be restored for light cultivation, recreation, pasture or woodland.
