letsrecycle.com

Meacher pulls out but Composting Week will go ahead

Composting Awareness Week will go ahead next week despite cancellations because of the bad weather and the disruption caused by Foot and Mouth. But, Environment Minister Michael Meacher has pulled out of launching the week because of his Foot and Mouth duties.

Tony Breton, marketing network co-ordinator, said: “The heavy rain has had an impact, but we are considering Composting Awareness Week a success as we have got so many events running in the current climate.”

The weather has meant that many events that were planned have been cancelled. Open days at large-scale sites cannot go ahead because the rain has slowed down the composting process and the muddy ground is making it unsuitable for visitors.

Many compost demonstration gardens are also closed to the public and community groups who compost on city farms are not allowed into their sites because of the potential risk to the animals from food and mouth.

Although the week has been scaled down, around 35 different events will take place between April 29 to May 5.

Mr Breton said: “Many people are leaving it to the last minute before contacting me to tell me what events will go ahead but we are having a good response. The public are receptive because they can relate to composting and see it as another form of recycling. If people have got a garden they are prepared to take a bit of effort because they get a good product at the end. It is not precise, just a matter of common sense.”

Dr Jane Gilbert, chief executive of The Composting Association, believes the week has an important role to play. She said: “Composting makes a difference, not only to recycling rates but more importantly it makes a difference to the environment. We need to make people aware of the benefits that composting can bring, not just to them as individuals but to the whole community.”

For further details about the week see the information available at the Composting Association's website.

Share this article with others

Subscribe for free

Subscribe to receive our newsletters and to leave comments.

Other Publications from
The Environment Media Group

The industry on LinkedIn

Follow Letsrecycle on LinkedIn
Back to top

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest waste and recycling news straight to your inbox.

Subscribe