CSV, Environment, RUN A MUCK, Community Composting, Moseley Launch

WHAT : Launch of CSV Environment, RUN A MUCK, Community Composting, kerbside green waste and recycling project in the Moseley area.

Lynne Jones MP was a big help in the very successful launch of this project in Moseley, and we were particularly grateful that she found time to come and help on her birthday morning.

She is seen here with the CSV RUN A MUCK Project Officer, Ian Brown, with the birthday cake we gave her and she shared with lots of the local residents:

WHERE : Moseley farmers market on the village green in the centre of Moseley.

WHEN : Saturday 26^th April 2003 at 11.00am

WHY :

Birmingham produces some 500,000 tonnes of domestic waste each year of which about 33% are compostable organic waste. Only a small proportion of this waste is recycled.

CSV Environment has operated a successful community composting scheme for the past twelve months covering 8,000 households in the Small Heath, Washwood Heath and Nechells Wards of Birmingham. We have been asked by the residents of Moseley to extend the scheme to their area and we have obtained nieghbourhood renewal funding for the project, including finance for two paid positions.

The scheme involves a fortnightly kerbside collection service for garden waste such as grass cuttings, hedge clippings and weeds. The waste is taken to local sites where it is sorted, shredded if necessary, and composted. After about 3 months the compost produced is graded and sold back as soil improver, cheaply, to members of the scheme.

Leaflets are being distributed to the residents of Moseley inviting them to join the scheme through local residents who distribute the bags for the green waste.

Home composting is also encouraged, particularly for the plant based kitchen waste that we are unable to accept, and advice on what and how to compost is freely available.

Our composting expert is available to talk to community groups, in particular, recycling of green waste is an appropriate subject for discussion in schools, and talks can be arranged for any year group.

"Community Composting can recycle a large proportion of material that currently goes into landfill sites, causing land to sink and producing methane, a gas 20 times worse than carbon dioxide in global warming. The product of composting can replace peat, a non-renewable resource, and members of the community can work together for the benefit of the community.

Further information can be obtained from;

Ian Brown

Project Officer, Run a Muck, Community Composting

CSV Environment

St Peters College

College Road

Saltley

Birmingham B8 3TE

0121 328 5330 ian@csvenvironment.org.uk