Anaerobic digestate: resource framework
How to meet 'end of waste' status for digestate produced from anaerobic digestion of source-segregated biodegradable waste.
Applies to England
1. The purpose of the resource framework
This resource framework relates to digestate produced from anaerobic digestion of source-segregated biodegradable waste (biowaste).
This resource framework is to help you understand when digestate products are no longer considered waste. Meaning they meet the ‘end of waste’ test. This is so you can:
- understand when you no longer need to follow waste management controls for digestate products
- be confident that the quality of digestate produced meets an approved standard
- be confident that the quality of digestate produced is suitable for use in appropriate markets
- protect human health and prevent pollution of the environment, including soil
2. Waste you can use
To follow this resource framework, you must only use source-segregated biodegradable materials as defined in the British Standard Institution’s Publicly Available Specification 110 (2014) (BSI PAS 110).
And the materials you use must be compliant with the waste codes, descriptions and restrictions in the following tables.
‘Use’ means feeding a material into the biological treatment phases of the process.
2.1 Wastes from agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, forestry, hunting and fishing, food preparation and processing
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 02 01 01 | Sludges from washing and cleaning | Only vegetables, fruit and other crops |
| 02 01 02 | Animal tissue waste | None |
| 02 01 03 | Plant-tissue waste | Includes straw, other crop residues, riverine vegetation and spent growing media based on plant issues, such as compost derived from source-segregated biodegradable waste, peat and bark |
| 02 01 06 | Animal faeces, urine and manure | Includes animal faeces, urine, manure and spoiled fully biodegradable bedding |
| 02 01 07 | Wastes from forestry | Only green waste and plant tissue |
| 02 01 99 | Wastes not otherwise specified | Only spent mushroom compost or discarded mushrooms from commercial mushroom cultivation |
2.2. Wastes from the preparation and processing of meat, fish and other foods of animal origin
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 02 02 01 | Sludges from washing and cleaning, peeling, centrifuging and separation including wash waters and sludges from secondary food processing or the cook chill sector | None |
| 02 02 02 | Animal tissue waste | May include blood and animal gut contents |
| 02 02 03 | Material unsuitable for consumption or processing | May include gut contents, shells and shellfish wastes. Includes sludges from gelatine production. |
| 02 02 04 | Sludges from on-site effluent treatment | Only wastes from preparation and processing of meat, fish and other foods of animal origin |
2.3. Wastes from fruit, vegetables, cereals, edible oils, cocoa, coffee, tea and tobacco preparation and processing, conserve production, yeast and yeast extract production, molasses preparation and fermentation
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 02 03 01 | Sludges from washing, cleaning, peeling, centrifuging and separation | Only sludges from food processing |
| 02 03 04 | Materials unsuitable for consumption or processing | Only biodegradable waste. There must be no chemical additives or toxin residues present. |
| 02 03 05 | Sludges from on-site effluent treatment or processing sludge from production of edible fats and oils, including seasoning residues | None |
2.4. Wastes from sugar processing
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 02 04 03 | Sludges from on-site effluent treatment | Only biological sludge |
2.5. Wastes from the dairy products industry
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 02 05 01 | Materials unsuitable for consumption or processing | Includes raw milk. Must only be biodegradable waste. |
| 02 05 02 | Sludges from on-site effluent treatment | None |
2.6. Wastes from the baking and confectionary industry
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 02 06 01 | Materials unsuitable for consumption or processing | Only biodegradable waste |
| 02 06 03 | Sludges from on-site effluent treatment | None |
2.7. Wastes from the production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (except coffee, tea and cocoa)
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 02 07 01 | Wastes from washing, cleaning and mechanical reduction of raw materials | Only biodegradable wastes from the processing of the raw materials used in the production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (except coffee, tea and cocoa) |
| 02 07 02 | Wastes from spirits distillation | Only spent grains, hops and whisky filter sheets and cloths, yeast and yeast like residues, sludge from the distillation process, or malt husks, malt sprouts, yeasts and yeast-like residues |
| 02 07 04 | Material unsuitable for consumption or processing | Only biodegradable wastes from processing raw materials used in producing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (except coffee, tea and cocoa) |
| 02 07 05 | Sludges from on-site effluent treatment | Only sludges from the production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (except coffee, tea and cocoa) |
2.8. Wastes from pulp, paper, and cardboard production and processing
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 03 03 10 | Fibre rejects, fibre-, filler- and coating-sludges from mechanical separation | Only allowed if not mixed with, or does not contain, de-inking sludge |
| 03 03 11 | Sludges from on-site effluent treatment other than those mentioned in 03 03 10 | Only allowed if not mixed with, or does not contain, de-inking sludge |
2.9. Wastes from the textile industry
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 04 02 10 | Organic matter from natural products (for example grease, wax) | Only biodegradable material |
| 04 02 21 | Wastes from unprocessed textile fibres | Only biodegradable material |
2.10. Waste from organic chemical processes
Wastes from the manufacture, formulation, supply and use of basic organic chemicals.
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 07 01 08* | Other still bottoms and reaction residues | Only glycerol waste from biodiesel manufacture from non-waste vegetable oils |
(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.
2.11. Waste packaging; absorbents, filter materials wiping cloths and protective clothing
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 15 01 01 | Paper and cardboard packaging | Only if: - the material complies with the restriction for the waste type in Note 1 at the end of this section - there is no non-biodegradable coating or preserving substance present |
| 15 01 03 | Wooden packaging | Only virgin timber |
| 15 01 05 | Composite packaging | Only if each component: - comes from the input types allowed by this resource framework - meets the restriction for the corresponding waste type in Note 1 at the end of this section |
2.12. Wastes not otherwise specified in the list
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 16 10 02 | Aqueous liquid wastes other than those mentioned in 16 10 01 | Includes: - milk and dairy waste milk from agricultural premises - untreated wash waters from cleaning fruit and vegetables on farm Digestate or liquor must come from an aerobic process that: - only accepts the waste input types allowed by this resource framework - meets the EU Regulation 1069/2009, its implementing EU Regulation 142/2011 (as amended) and The Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2013 Liquor or leachate must come from a composting process that: - only accepts the waste input types allowed by this resource framework - meets the EU Regulation 1069/2009, its implementing EU Regulation 142/2011 (as amended) and The Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2013 |
2.13. Wastes from physico-chemical treatment of wastes
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 19 02 03 | Premixed wastes composed only of non-hazardous wastes | This must: - only come from the input types allowed by this resource framework - be segregated from, and uncontaminated by, any other waste type |
| 19 02 06 | Sludges from physico-chemical treatment other than those mentioned in 19 02 05 | This must: - only come from the physical treatment or pH adjustment of the input types allowed by this resource framework - be segregated from, and uncontaminated by, any other waste type |
| 19 02 10 | Glycerol not designated as hazardous | Excludes 19 02 08 |
2.14. Wastes from aerobic treatment of solid wastes
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 19 05 01 | Non-composted fraction of municipal and similar wastes | This must: - only come from the input types allowed by this resource framework - be segregated from, and uncontaminated by, any other waste type |
| 19 05 02 | Non-composted fraction of animal and vegetable wastes | This must: - only come from the input types allowed by this resource framework - be segregated from, and uncontaminated by, any other waste type |
| 19 05 03 | Off-specification compost | The compost must only come from the input types allowed this resource framework or the compost resource framework. This includes oversize material that comes from screening the compost. |
2.15. Wastes from anaerobic treatment of solid wastes
| Waste code | Waste description | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 06 03 | Liquor from anaerobic treatment of municipal waste | This must: - only come from the input types allowed by this resource framework - come from a facility that is independently certified as complying with BSI PAS 110 - be in pasteurised and stabilised batches that are authorised by the Animal and Plant Heath Agency Must not contain wastes that come from mechanical biological treatment facilities |
| 19 06 04 | Digestate from anaerobic treatment of municipal waste | This must: - only come from the input types allowed by this resource framework - come from a facility that is independently certified as complying with BSI PAS 110 - be in pasteurised and stabilised batches that are authorised by the Animal and Plant Heath Agency Must not contain wastes that come from mechanical biological treatment facilities |
| 19 06 05 | Liquor from anaerobic treatment of animal and vegetable waste | This must: - only come from the input types allowed by this resource framework - come from a facility that is independently certified as complying with BSI PAS 110 - be in pasteurised and stabilised batches that are authorised by the Animal and Plant Heath Agency Must not contain wastes that come from mechanical biological treatment facilities |
| 19 06 06 | Digestate from anaerobic treatment of animal and vegetable waste | This must: - only come from the input types allowed by this resource framework - come from a facility that is independently certified as complying with BSI PAS 110 - be in pasteurised and stabilised batches that are authorised by the Animal and Plant Heath Agency Must not contain wastes that come from mechanical biological treatment facilities |
2.16. Wastes from waste water treatment plants not otherwise specified
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 19 08 09 | Grease and oil mixture from oil and water separation containing only edible oils and fats | None |
| 19 08 12 | Sludges from biological treatment of industrial waste water (from a process that treats wastes which are identified in section 2 of this resource framework) | None |
2.17. Wastes from the mechanical treatment of waste not otherwise specified
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 19 12 12 | Other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 11 | This must: - only come from the input types allowed by this resource framework - be segregated from, and uncontaminated by, any other waste type - be biodegradable waste |
2.18. Municipal waste (household waste and similar commercial, industrial and institutional wastes) including separately collected fractions
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 20 01 01 | Paper and cardboard | This must meet the restriction for the corresponding waste type in Note 1 at the end of this section. Must not contain any non-biodegradable coating or preservative. |
| 20 01 08 | Biodegradable kitchen and canteen waste | This must meet the restriction for the corresponding waste type in Note 1 at the end of this section |
| 20 01 25 | Edible oil and fat | None |
2.19. Garden and park wastes (including cemetery waste)
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 20 02 01 | Biodegradable waste | This must be biodegradable material such as: - manure - garden waste - green waste - horticultural waste - plant tissue - parks and garden waste - hedge and tree trimmings - grass cuttings and leafy materials It must not contain: - material with chemical additives and toxic residues - road sweeping gully waste - dog faeces - Japanese knotweed |
2.20. Other municipal wastes
| Waste code | Waste description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 20 03 01 | Mixed municipal waste | This must be separately collected biodegradable wastes that are the types allowed by this resource framework. Any food packaging must meet the restriction for the waste type in Note 1 at the end of this section. |
| 20 03 02 | Waste from markets | This must be separately collected biodegradable wastes that are the types allowed by this resource framework. Such as plant material, fruit and vegetables. Any food packaging must meet the restriction for the waste type in Note 1 at the end of this section. |
Note 1
You can only use industrially compostable packaging and non-packaging items that are independently certified as compliant with at least one of the following:
- EN 13432
- EN 14995
- ASTM D6400
You can only use home compostable packaging and non-packaging items that are independently certified as compliant with at least one of the following:
- EN 17427
- AS 5810-2010
- NF T51-800
- TÜV Austria’s certification requirements for home compostable packaging under their ‘OK compost HOME scheme’
3. When the final product is not considered waste
3.1. Digestate products will have met the end of waste test, and so not be considered waste anymore, if you can show all of the following:
- they have been produced using only the source-segregated biodegradable waste materials approved in section 2 of this resource framework
- you have stored and processed the waste correctly, in line with section 3.2 of this resource framework
- they need no further treatment other than the methods described in BSI PAS 110 before their intended use
- they meet any extra specification requested by and agreed with your customer
- there is certainty of use for the material
If so, you will no longer have to follow waste management controls when you either:
- dispatch the products to the customer from your production site
- store the products at your production site or storage locations under your control
You must not store any portion of your product for more than 10 months. And you must have at least one of the following:
- contracts of supply or sales orders (or both) that cover the quantity of the same product in storage at any time
- sales history for the most recent 12 months that shows at least as much of the same product type was supplied for use
3.2. You must process the waste in line with the specification defined in BSI PAS 110.
3.3. The maximum allowed concentration of plastic in the digestate and other products derived from it is 8% of the ‘total physical contaminants (excluding stones)’ limits in Table 1 of BSI PAS 110.
3.4. Certified digestates that are in storage with little chance of use are considered waste. This means you must follow waste management controls.
4. Providing evidence that quality digestate has been produced
4.1. Get certification from an approved third-party certification body
4.1.1. You must show you comply with the requirements of this resource framework, including all the conditions of BSI PAS 110. You must prove this to a certification body that is:
- appointed by the Biofertiliser Certification Scheme
- operating in line with scheme rules agreed with the Environment Agency
- accredited, or can demonstrate working towards accreditation to ISO 17065:2012 (or its latest equivalent) by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), maintained annually
4.1.2. As part of the certification process, you must:
- make and keep records for a minimum of 4 years – following the guidance in sections 4.2 and 4.3 of this resource framework
- make these records available to the certification body for certification purposes
4.1.3. The Environment Agency will agree scheme rules if:
- the method of certification shows that you have met the requirements of the resource framework and BSI PAS 110
- your compliance with the resource framework and BSI PAS 100 are certified annually by an independent certification body that is accredited in line with point 4.1.1
- the accredited certification body is accredited to certify digestate
- certification verifies source documentation, evidence of site management procedures (including compliance with the quality management system) and laboratory test results
- the certification body or its authorised contractor carries out at least one site inspection a year to check and confirm on-site documentation
- an impartial committee oversees the certification process
4.2. Record your incoming waste
4.2.1. Your records need to include:
- the waste code and waste description, in compliance with your environmental permit or exemption
- its volume or weight
- the source of the waste
- the date of delivery
- the name and address of supplier
- the name and address of carrier
- your method for confirming the waste is acceptable input material – and, if it’s not acceptable (including only in part), your rejection reasons and what you did with the rejected waste
4.3. Record your outgoing product
4.3.1. This includes producing and keeping copies of customer supply documentation. This must contain a declaration that the final product meets:
- BSI PAS 110
- the requirements of this resource framework
- any additional customer specifications (as agreed between the supplier and the customer)
4.3.2. You must make all records available for inspection by the regulator, if requested.
5. Compliance with legislation outside of waste regulation
5.1. This resource framework does not change your requirement to comply with other relevant legislation, including the legislation referred to in the following guidance:
5.2. Failing to do this, or to comply with waste management controls when you cannot show compliance with this resource framework, may be an offence.
5.3. Spreading to land: compliance with nutrient management plans
5.3.1. When you are supplying to agriculture, your digestate supply documentation must tell the customers of the product that:
- they must have a nutrient management plan (NMP) before use
- they must apply digestate in line with the NMP, along with any other organic manures and manufactured fertilisers, at rates that do not exceed soil and crop need
- they are responsible for following their NMP – if they do not do this, the Environment Agency may take enforcement action
- where there is no soil and crop need for digestate, it is considered waste and they must follow waste management controls
5.3.2. If you do not do this, the Environment Agency may take action in line with its enforcement and sanctions policy.
6. Compliant products: loss of non-waste status
6.1. Digestate that’s compliant with this resource framework will become waste again (meaning you must follow waste management controls) if, at any stage:
- you discard it
- you plan to discard it
- it is required to be discarded
- it is applied in excess of soil and crop requirements
- it is stored indefinitely with little prospect of being used
6.2. This applies to anyone holding stores of digestate, not just producers.
7. Mixing compliant products with waste and non-waste
7.1. If you mix digestate that is compliant with this resource framework with other waste material, the whole mixed volume becomes waste and you must follow waste management controls.
7.2. If you mix digestate that is compliant with this resource framework with other non-waste material, the whole mixed volume is not waste. Doing this is not considered further treatment. For example, blending compost which has met the compost resource framework with digestate that has met this resource framework is not a waste activity, as neither material is waste. But you must keep to the requirements of section 6.
8. Standards and specifications which apply to this resource framework
8.1. BSI PAS 110
The only standard which applies to this resource framework is BSI PAS 110. You can download free copies of BSI PAS 110 from:
8.2. Responsible sourcing scheme
8.2.1. If you supply digestate as a growing medium ingredient to the horticulture sector, you must only supply it to an accredited member of the responsible sourcing scheme.
8.2.2. You must agree the digestate quality specification in writing with each member of the responsible sourcing scheme you supply. The quality specification must include (but is not limited to) physical contaminants and stability or maturity limits.
9. Updates to this resource framework
The Environment Agency will review this resource framework in summer 2026, with support from industry. The Environment Agency may update or withdraw this resource framework before this date because of:
- pollution incidents
- the resource framework being used incorrectly
- developments in scientific understanding
- a change in the market
- a change in legislation or case law
- a change to the agreed industry standard or input materials
You can subscribe to email updates about this resource framework. These will tell you if it has changed and when it has been withdrawn. Use the ‘Get emails about this page’ link on this page.
10. If you have questions about this resource framework
General enquiries
National Customer Contact Centre
PO Box 544
Rotherham
S60 1BY
Email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone 03708 506 506
Telephone from outside the UK (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm GMT) +44 (0) 114 282 5312
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.