Part B -Waste Prevention Activity

This subsection summarises the scope of Section 5, which:

• Outlines what home and community composting involve.
• Describes the benefits and potential of these increasingly popular activities.
• Provides practical tips and highlights further sources of information and support.

Underlining the huge potential for the UK to compost more of its waste, this subsection:

• Provides definitions of home composting, community composting, grass-cycling, farm composting and centralised composting.
• Describes how these activities can dovetail into an integrated approach to biodegradable waste prevention.
• Lists environmental, economic and social benefits, eg waste collection/disposal cost reductions, community development and improved health.
• Highlights key barriers that have limited take-up of composting to date.

This subsection will enable you to pinpoint the potential to boost composting in your area. It includes checklists that will help you assess:

• The current scope, extent and efficiency of local composting activities.
• The scope for building on or improving these activities (eg by raising public awareness or providing additional training/funding).

This subsection outlines issues to consider when implementing a home composting scheme. It advises on:

• Who should be involved or consulted.
• The main types of composting bin available.
• How to source, charge for, stimulate demand for and distribute composting bins.
• Skills/resources needed to deliver a scheme.
• Main costs and income streams involved.
• Ways of measuring a scheme’s impact.

This subsection also sets out the basic steps involved in promoting grass-cycling among householders.

This subsection outlines issues to consider when implementing a community composting scheme. It discusses:

• The relevant legal framework (planning permission, waste management licensing exemptions and animal by-product regulations).
• Sources of compostable waste, different composting methods, different materials a scheme could produce and potential markets.
• Site design/location, pollution/nuisance and health & safety issues.
• Main costs and income streams involved.
• Factors affecting householder participation.
• Ways of measuring a scheme’s performance.

This subsection provides contact details of:

• Expert organisations/information sources that can advise on home and community composting.
• A selection of composting bin manufacturers and suppliers currently active in the UK.