An organics model contract for the production of compost from segregated biodegradable wastes has been published by WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) with the aim of encouraging fair contractual arrangements based on clear specifications.

The organics model contract covers the requirements of the composting process but excludes feedstock collection, which is dealt with by another model contract. It is highly practical in its approach, defining both the quality of the feedstock material and the final quality of the composted product. BSI PAS 100 is identified as the preferred standard for composting and compost quality, and the council can specify that the standard is met from the beginning of the contract or after a defined lead-in period.

The model contract also includes an option for the council to agree selected, core aspects of BSI PAS 100 with composters operating on a small scale under a waste management licence exemption. In all options, the compost is required to meet the requirements of Best Value Performance Indicators (82b) in England and NS14 WPI requirements in Wales as appropriate. This allows councils to count feedstock tonnages towards statutory waste performance standards.

It is also a site-based contract with schedules for setting the minimum and maximum feedstock tonnages appropriate to the individual site. This makes it easier to ensure that the amount, quality and timing of the feedstock delivered is consistent with the site‘‘s licence or licence-exemption.

To use the model contract, the local authority or composting operator can select the relevant clauses and then include their own terms and conditions, such as prices, site locations, etc. Designed to be flexible, the contract offers a choice of options to meet different circumstances. Gate fees, for example, are covered in some detail and as well as a range of calculation methods. Various arrangements to allow fees to be changed over the lifetime of the contract are also dealt with.

Another important area covered by the contract is dealing with sub-standard feedstock loads according to an agreed procedure. Designed to make the decision less subjective, the open and transparent process laid down means the composter has the right to reject the load and the council has the right to inspect the load before it is removed from the site.

WRAP‘‘s model contracts are developed using an advisory group to ensure that relevant stakeholders can provide a practical and critical analysis of the waste stream or process under consideration. For the organics model contract, the stakeholders were from the Composting Association, Biffa Waste Services Ltd, Eco-Composting Ltd and Somerset County Council, with WRAP providing additional expertise on market requirements for compost and local government.

Jason Jones of Somerset County Council believes the contract will be well received. "It is very robust and strikes a good balance between the needs of local authorities and composting contractors," he says.

It is already being trialed by Urban Mines on a major contract in North Yorkshire. The company is working with Selby District Council on its plans to extend the kerbside collection of garden waste to a further 18,000 households and to identify markets and add value to its organics recycling strategy. Selby want the garden waste to be composted on farms in the local area and WRAP‘‘s Draft Agreement for the Supply of Organic Waste for Composting is being used as the template for the contract that will be drawn up between the council and each of the on-farm composters