Sustainable Gwynedd Gynaladwy Compost Aid Project

Concerned about the amount of waste being sent to landfill, Sustainable Gwynedd Gynaladwy decided to create a Compost Aid Project.

The project involved reducing waste sent to landfill and producing compost from this waste, which was then used to enrich the soil for growing plants.

As part of this project, Sustainable Gwynedd Gynaladwy negotiated with the local council to provide free compost bins to all Gwynedd residents. Two sites were developed as compost sites, and these will continue to be used by the community after the project has come to an end.

Compost demonstrations were arranged which were given by experienced demonstrators. People who don’t normally compost were surprised and pleased to find how easy and convenient composting actually is.

Keen to encourage more and more people to recycle, compost leaders were appointed, who would give talks and demonstrations. An indirect benefit of the project was the increase of skills of these compost leaders who received training for the purpose.

Bilingual booklets were produced, ensuring that the information was accessible to both Welsh and English speakers in the community. This was key to the success of the project in a largely Welsh speaking area, where many of the local people feel more comfortable conversing through the Welsh language.

Having learnt how to compost, people were also encouraged to grow their own vegetables. Organic gardening was encouraged, and the project led to the amount of chemicals used being reduced, food miles came down, and people began to eat healthier, home-grown food.

In order to carry out this project, Sustainable Gwynedd Gynaladwy formed partnerships with Cylch (the recycling network), North Wales Wildlife Trust, Moelyci Environment Centre and Friends of the Earth. This partnership work was central to the project’s success, ensuring that as many people as possible were reached, and drawing on the expertise of local organisations.

Throughout the duration of the project, the amount of waste sent to landfill was drastically reduced. But, by raising awareness of the need to reduce landfill, the organisers ensured that the results would continue even after the project came to an end.

The project also had other, indirect, good results as people have been encouraged to join in voluntary work, for example working with the wildlife trust in the Penrhyndeudraeth site. By encouraging working outdoors, and better diets, a healthier lifestyle is encouraged and general well-being is promoted.

Seran Dolma from Sustainable Gwynedd Gynaladwy is confident that this project could be replicated in other parts of Wales.

She commented: ‘It would be good if the project was ongoing.  We initially had funds for a project of around 8 months, and further funds were found for another 6 months. Unless we can find more money, or make the project self-financing by charging a fee for the training, it will have to come to an end in 2009.’

Contact Seran Dolma on seran@gwyneddgynaladwy.org.uk