So now we know.

In an earlier post, I posited the theory that taking organic matter out of bins and putting it in composts, and therefore away from landfills, actually slows down the degrading process and is harmful to the environment.

Well, it turns out that I was utterly wrong, at least according to DEFRA. They say...

Dear Mr Kouros,

COMPOSTING AND LANDFILLING

Thank you for your letter of 5 May about composting and landfilling. I have been asked to reply and apologise for the delay in doing so.

Any potential benefits from landfilling biodegradable waste would be small compared to the benefits of composting and diverting waste from landfill. Composting waste that would otherwise go to landfill also reduces landfill methane emissions, which account for 3% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions. Composting will play an increasingly important role in diverting biodegradable waste from landfill in line with the Government's sustainable waste management objectives.

Composting is supported by a range of measures that promote sustainable waste management: including the Waste and Resources Action Programme's support for home composting, and statutory recycling and composting targets for local authorities.

The amount of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) being landfilled continues to fall: from 13.9 million tonnes in 2004-05 to 12.4 million tonnes in 2005-06. To meet our EU Landfill Directive targets, the amount of BMW the UK sends to landfill needs to fall to 11.2 million tonnes in 2010, 7.46 million tonnes in 2013 and 5.22 million tonnes by 2020.

I hope that this letter addresses your concerns.

Defra - Customer Contact Unit

Although I am now left with the concern that the methane emissions will be diverted from the landfill to composts. Where does that 3% go? Will we be forced to reduce our compost emissions by 2020?