Why communities should think about composting
Managing waste & resources locally
Increasing numbers of people and communities across the Highlands want to do their bit to minimise their impacts on the environment.
With the changes to the Highland Council bin collection offering there will now be 2 recycling bins, one for paper, card and cardboard, and the other for plastics, metals and cartons. Some areas are able to make use of food waste collections whereas others are not.
Many individuals or communities could use this change as an impetus to collect their OWN food waste, and use some of the paper and cardboard, to make compost for themselves. Not only would this save them money having to buy compost, but it would save on the transportation miles for their recycling.
Community composting projects provide an opportunity to do this, by managing an important resource locally which can improve the quality of local soils. Many community composting projects have come to an end when funding arrangements have ceased. However, others have continued successfully, and our case study page provides information about successful projects from within the Highlands and further afield.
Compost is a nutrient-rich input for any growing project or garden which helps improve soil structure, maintain moisture levels and feed your plants. It has many nutrients that your plants need, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and much needed carbon. Compost improves your soil’s condition which is important for plant growth and local soil health.
Compost provides a valuable growing medium for community growing projects, avoids waste streams from being hauled long distances for disposal and are locally produced alternatives for expensive and sometimes environmentally damaging composts purchased (especially those containing peat).
Providing community benefits and supporting local food growing
A community that works together can create opportunities locally. Community composting is one important part of a wider opportunity to promote and support local food growing, save money, provide skills, knowledge and training e.g. a master composter certificate, and develop collaboration and community cohesion.
The Highland Good Food Partnership is working to support the development of community-based growing projects which will educate people about food and diet, improving their physical and mental health. It also aims to make people more aware of the environmental impacts of the food they consume, and to help create viable jobs in growing and processing food in the Highlands. The Partnership has a map which can direct you to local projects in your area.
Regulation and guidance
It is important to reference regulations and more information is available on our guide to regulations page.
Highland Council’s Environmental Health team (the contaminated land team – land.contamination@highland.gov.uk ) should be contacted for advice when a growing project is being set up. This is so that they can check the history of the site and advise on potential contaminants which may be present due to its former use.
In addition, Food Standards Scotland provides guidance on how to help fresh produce growers manage microbiological contamination risks as well as a number of other risks.
