Flamish compost producers about impurities and microplastics in compost and digestate

During this session, we analysed data, explored opportunities to further improve compost and digestate quality, and shared insights from literature research and the growing body of knowledge on microplastics being developed within Closecycle.

Compost and digestate: Closing the Loop Together

Together with compost and digestate producers, Vlaco is strongly committed to keep compost and digestate as clean and pure as possible, with minimal plastic or other impurities. In Flanders, we are doing well: separately collected biowaste is generally of high quality. Unfortunately, it still occasionally contains plastic, metal, strings, or other contaminants. That is why composting facilities apply a range of techniques – such as sieving, wind shifting, and magnetic treatment – to ensure the cleanest possible compost.

Compost is not “none of my business” for households

For many people, professional compost production may feel like “non of my business” story. But in reality, it is not far away at all. Almost every Flemish citizen contributes to compost production on a daily basis – often without realizing it. Professional compost is the stable, hygienized, humus-rich end product of composting separately collected organic-biological material. In other words: it is produced directly from the collected kitchen and garden waste (gft and green waste) from households. In this way, households contribute to the quality of the compost.

Plastic does not belong in biowaste

Kitchen and garden waste is valuable raw material that play a key role in the circular economy. Plastic, however, does not belong in kitchen or green waste. Keeping this cycle as pure as possible remains our highest priority. In 2025, as part of the Cmartlife project, several short animation videos were released to raise citizen awareness on this topic.