UK Waste Quality Protocol

End of waste criteria for the production and use of quality outputs from anaerobic digestion of source-segregated biodegradable waste

What is a Quality Protocol?  The UK Waste Quality Protocol sets out criteria for the production of a product from a specific waste type. Compliance with these criteria is considered sufficient to ensure that the fully recovered product may be used without undermining the effectiveness of the Waste Framework Directive and therefore without the need for waste management controls. In addition, the Waste Quality Protocol indicates how compliance in the UK may be demonstrated and points to best practice for the use of the fully recovered product. The Quality Protocol and good practice will ensure that the aims of the Waste Framework Directive are not undermined. The Waste Quality Protocol further aims to provide increased market confidence in the quality of products made from waste and so encourage greater recovery and recycling.

This Waste Quality Protocol has three main purposes:

• to clarify the point at which waste management controls are no longer required;
• to provide users with confidence that the quality digestate they purchase conforms to an approved standard; and
• to protect human health and the environment (including soil) by describing acceptable good practice for the use of quality digest