UK Biofertiliser Certification Scheme for Digestate Success or Failure? - Update

Biofertilizer Bonanza: A New Updated in 2024 look at Digestate Certification!

Hey there, eco-conscious farmers and green thumb enthusiasts! Back in 2012, we were buzzing about the Biofertiliser Certification Scheme (BCS) for digestate – that amazing by-product of anaerobic digestion (AD) that nourishes both soil and crops.  Fast forward to 2024, and let's see how the world of biofertilizers has sprouted!

The boys that provide the biogas industry with quality certification.


The BCS: Still Going Strong!

The good news? The BCS is still thriving! It remains the gold standard for ensuring digestate quality and safety for agricultural use.  This means farmers can be confident they're getting a nutrient-rich, reliable biofertilizer for their crops.

Beyond Certification: The Biofertilizer Boom!

But the story doesn't stop there. Biofertilizers in general have experienced a significant boom in recent years.  As concerns about synthetic fertilizers grow, farmers are increasingly turning to these eco-friendly alternatives.

Why the Biofertilizer Love? Here's the Dirt!

Biofertilizers offer several advantages:
  • Nutrient Powerhouse: Digestate, for example, is packed with essential nutrients plants crave, promoting healthy growth and potentially improving yields.
  • Soil Saviour: Biofertilizers can help improve soil health, leading to better water retention and increased resistance to pests and diseases. Think of it as a win-win for your soil and your crops!
  • Sustainable Choice: By utilizing waste products like digestate, biofertilizers contribute to a more circular economy, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and minimizing environmental impact.

The Future is Fertile!


The future of biofertilizers is looking bright. As research and development continue, we can expect to see even more innovative biofertilizer products hit the market. This could include biofertilizers tailored for specific crops or with additional beneficial microbes to further enhance soil health.

Join the Biofertilizer Revolution!

Whether you're a seasoned farmer or a curious home gardener, there's a place for biofertilizers in your green journey. 

By choosing biofertilizers, you're not just nourishing your plants – you're contributing to a more sustainable future for our planet.


So, ditch the harsh chemicals and embrace the power of nature's bounty!


P.S. Looking for more info on specific biofertilizers or how to use digestate on your farm? Check out the resources section of the https://www.biofertiliser.org.uk/ website. Happy growing!

The following section provides a complete archive copy of the original post:

First posted on 18/08/2012:

Is the UK Biofertiliser Certification Scheme for Digestate a Success or Failure?

There has been a slow take-up of digestate certification for bio-degradable organic waste with only 8 AD Plants now certified under the scheme, albeit 5 of those being so far during 2012.

The question has to be asked whether a viable market for source-separated biodegradable waste-derived digestate will ever be achieved for this undoubtedly high nutrient and excellent soil improvement value fertiliser?

The problem for all Anaerobic Digestion Plant operators in the municipal waste management sector of the industry has always been that the digestate produced by them is classified as waste. 

Being a waste, it cannot be freely marketed as a product in the normal way. 

So, there is effectively no way for the producers to generate a revenue stream from their digestate. 

In fact, in many cases, their entire digestate production may need to be treated before it can be disposed of. Such treatment, which is done in a water treatment plant sometimes by sewer discharges for the smaller plants, is very expensive indeed.



Anyone using any non-Biofertiliser Certification Scheme compliance accredited digestate on farmland must comply with stringent waste management regulations. Such regulations, even where digestate use is feasible, it brings high costs and will also put off potential users. 

After all, how many supermarkets would be happy to see their produce if described as fertilized by industrial waste?

The big hope has been the Biofertiliser Certification Scheme and the hope that it would eventually be extended to other digestate sources. 

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