Smithfields Market
The aim of the project is to transform New Smithfield Wholesale Market into Europe's first zero-waste wholesale market, reducing the amount of organic waste sent to landfill.
Background
This project focuses on using an on-site, in-vessel composting facility to divert biodegradable waste from landfill and deliver a zero waste wholesale market. A unique partnership between a local social enterprise, Fairfields Materials management and Manchester Markers, part of Manchester City Council will deliver this unique project.
Objectives
Develop new end markets for compost.
Demand for local, sustainable compost continues to grow with a wide range of applications and end users including householders, allotment societies, highway erosion prevention applications, topsoil companies and Parks & Gardens uses.
Create a self-sufficent and sustainable waste management system for waste generated by the Smithfields Market. Following the proximity principle and the Best Practable environmental Option to its maximum, the system eliminates transportation of the market waste, provides a local composting facility for Manchester green waste and generates a viable and high quality product.
Produce a 'blueprint' document to inform others. The project has generated a huge amount of intrest from other wholesale markets and Local authorities across the country and a written guide at the end of the project will aim to assist other markets and groups to creating a similar system.
Promoting energy efficiency through the use of bio-diesel for power generation at the compost site, carful and efficient water management.
Generate environmental and social benefits for Manchester through long term employment & training opportunities and returning vital nutrients to improve local soil health.
Update
Currently the site has three operational vertical composting units (VCU's), with support from the RMDF programme an additional three VCUs have been purchased and are being installed. The new VCUs should be commissioned and fully operational by early November 2005 with the Blueprint document to follow at the end of March.
