Residents Benefit from Free Compost Bin Giveaway – More Volunteers Required!

Families and individuals are already benefiting from the Wyre Forest District Council’s free compost bin giveaway. Last month the Council asked for people to come forward who wanted to give composting a go, but weren’t sure how to get started or whether it was right for them. The volunteers were given a free composting kit, which included a compost bin, kitchen caddy and instruction booklet and were given help to set it up from a volunteer 'Master Composter', trained by Worcestershire County Council.

By composting at home you can reduce the amount of waste you send to landfill, and help the environment as garden waste will rot in landfill and produce methane - a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

Wyre Forest resident Barbara Lee has just started composting for the first time. She said ‘I wasn’t sure whether composting was right for me as I have quite a small garden and a small amount of kitchen waste. A Master Composter came to my house and gave me lots of helpful advice about what I can and can’t put in the composter, how to mix green and brown material and how soon I can expect compost. I didn’t realise that you could put shredded paper into the compost bin, either, which was good to know.’

Now the Council is calling for 20 more volunteers after local volunteer Master Composter Alex Heelis has decided to study the behaviour and attitudes of households as they begin composting their food waste for her thesis, as part of her Masters in Sustainable buildings with the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales and the University of East London. Alex will be asking volunteer households to monitor their food waste over a period of six months and along with other Master Composters she will be available to offer support and advice.

Any size of household can take part whether you live alone, with friends, as part of a couple or a small or large family.

If you would like to take part, please read the guidelines and fill in the application form  found at print it off and send it to the address on the form.

Residents of Herefordshire & Worcestershire who would prefer not to be part of this initiative but still want to home compost can buy a compost bin from as little as £13 (£8 for a 220 litre compost bin + £5 delivery) by calling 0844 571 4444 or visiting http://www.hw.getcomposting.com

In the photograph from left to right are Master Composters Alex Heelis and Diane Harrison and newly-composting resident Barbara Lee.

Issued - 20 April 2011