Custom Compost, Gorey, Co. Wexford, Ireland

Custom Compost is the compost production facility for the group’s Irish operations. Over the last 10 years we have invested more than €10m into the facility making this the most modern, technically advanced and environmentally friendly compost production facility in Ireland or the UK.

Production is currently in excess of 1,300 tonnes per week delivered, which is exclusively Phase III bulk compost. The Compost Facility is licensed under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Registration Number: W0123-01. We aim to operate in compliance with this rigorous enforcement Agency.

Phase 1
Having pioneered aerated bunker compost in Ireland in 1995 we then moved ahead of our competitors again in 1999 with the first fully enclosed indoor aerated tunnels combined with exhausting emissions at height. This is further enhanced by the overhead filling system which gives a very uniform mix of material. This in turn leads to a consistent, high performing, quality compost, on which we are proud to have built our reputation.

During 2008 the balance of the composting process was enclosed, and an exhaust stack of 40 metres in height erected in order to get significant dispersal and dilution of any emissions that may occur.

This project constitutes €1.5m of environmental expenditure and puts Custom Compost further ahead of its industry competitors for some years to come.

Phase II
Our phase II tunnel facilities are state of the art, purpose built & computer controlled. These are carefully managed under a rigorous hygiene programme giving us a clean, selective, and consistent compost.

The spawn, or mushroom seed, is added under thoroughly clean conditions – with hygiene being of paramount importance. After the spawn has been added to the compost it is transferred into our Phase III tunnel facilities.

Phase III
Our Phase III tunnel facilities are similar to Phase II - state of the art, purpose built & computer controlled. Spawn growth, or running, is managed in optimum environmental conditions for a duration of 18-19 days. Hence process duration from raw materials to finished Phase III product is approximately 6 weeks.

A fleet of 10 new bulk walking-floor trailers were procured from 1999 through 2007 - at a cost of just under €1m. This has allowed us to get to delivery of exclusively bulk Phase III to all our customers. This means Custom Compost is the only compost facility not putting any packaging waste onto the market in the form of compost bags or blocking film, further under-pinning our commitment to environmentally sustainable production.

Agricultural Supply Co. Cirencester, England

Agricultural Supply Co. was integrated into the Walsh Group in 1990. A purpose built conventional yard which has the capacity to further increase output.

Compost is sold as both Phase I and Phase II, the latter being sold for all 3 growing systems, bags, blocks and bulk. The facility specialises mainly in producing organic mushroom compost.

Agricultural Supply Co has also moved into Green Waste Composting.
For further information please visit www.asccomposting.co.uk