Volunteers spread the word on composting
Volunteers from across Gloucestershire have teamed up with Gloucestershire County Council to become Master Composters and help reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill.
The team of 19 people will promote composting throughout the county, by attending various events including council recycling and composting roadshows, writing articles for newspapers and newsletters, carrying out presentations and talks, and visiting schools.
The council arranged for each volunteer to receive two days of training from the UK’s leading organic growing charity Garden Organic to prepare them for their new role.
One of the volunteers Michael Ellard from Tewkesbury said: “I really enjoyed the course. It was very useful and covered composting in a very detailed way.
“I anticipate many questions about the subject from the public, so it is vital we are equipped and able to answer any queries – however difficult they might be. I definitely feel prepared now.
“I plan to encourage more people to compost at my workplace and look forward to attending council run recycling and composting roadshows.”
After completing 30 hours of voluntary work, the Master Composters will officially graduate. A special ceremony is planned in around a year’s time.
Cllr Stan Waddington, cabinet member for the environment said: “My thanks to all of the volunteers for giving up their own time, and training to become Master Composters.
“We need to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill, as it is not only harmful to the environment, but becoming increasingly expensive.
“Composting is a great way of dealing with waste directly at source and an added bonus is that the householder ends up with a very useful product – compost to spread around the garden.”
16 February 2010