Statistik for behandling af organisk affald fra husholdninger 2001

Statistics for Treatment of Organic Household Waste 2001

Summary and conclusions

“Statistics on compost for 2001” shows the amount of organic waste received at compost plants and biogas plants. The processed amount of waste, the production, stock and sale of compost, and price and quality of the processed compost are examined.

The statistics were prepared on the basis of reports from 142 composting plants as well as 7 biogas plants. Only biogas plants processing source separated, organic refuse are included. At the composting plants the real composting will take place – plants that merely receive and chip garden waste and park waste are not included in the statistics.

Consequently, the statistics do not give any information about the total amount of garden waste and park waste collected in Denmark. Neither do the statistics show the amount of organic waste processed at Danish biogas plants – only plants processing organic refuse are dealt with.

The following summarizes the major statistical findings.

In 2001 there was 149 plants which is 11 more than in 2000. Three plants opened in 2001. When more plants are included compared to earlier, it is because already existing plants have been identified.

In 2001 the plants received a total of 1,298,000 tons of organic waste. This is an increase of 19 per cent compared to 2000. The received waste can be classified as:

Organic refuse: 37,000 tons
Garden- and park waste: 669,000 tons
Sludge from purification plants: 196,000 tons
Domestic animal manure for biogas: 198,000 tons
Other organic waste: 198,000 tons

The composting plants produced 462,000 tons of compost in 2001. This is an increase of 2,5 per cent compared to 2000. The amount of compost that left the plants amounted to 380,000 tons which is an increase of 25,000 tons or 6,5 per cent compared to the previous year. 80 per cent of capacity was utilised.

45 per cent of the compost is used in private gardens. This is still the most common use for compost. Last year the percentage of compost being used in private gardens increased compared to the year before. This year, however, the percentage is smaller than last year. 7 per cent is used for coveringlandfills, 10 per cent on green areas, 19 per cent in agriculture, 5 per cent in nurseries, a minor part in woods and 14 per cent in other areas.

The stock of ready-made compost rose by 97,000 tons to a total of 427,000 tons.

The price of compost remained fairly steady during the recent years. The average sales price for compost made from pure garden waste and park waste, is about DKK 55 - 60 per ton. The price of compost from one plant to another can vary substantially.

Almost every second of the composting plants give out free compost.

The analytical findings show that the content of heavy metals complies with the existing maximum allowable values for 2001.

Existing and future cut-off values for environmentally foreign substances found in compost are observed.