New fund for community composters in London

The 25,000 small grants fund is intended to encourage community composting in the seven London boroughs of the North London Waste Authority.

Applications for the fund are expected from community groups including city farms and community gardens.

Announcing the funding, Councillor Ray Dodds – chair of the North London Waste Authority – said: “The only way North London can reach really high levels of recycling and composting is by persuading the whole community to join in.

“Supporting community composting is therefore one of the essential steps we are taking to make recycling and composting easier for North Londoners. I am delighted that we are able to offer this assistance,” he added.

Equipment
According to the NLWA a number of community organisations within its authority area are carrying out small-scale composting without the specialist equipment they need.

A spokesman for the authority said: “Many of these organisations provide much-needed employment, volunteering and training opportunities for local people. The fund represents a real opportunity to help these groups with their projects and to divert even more organic waste from ending up in landfill.”

The closing date for applications to the fund is September 21 at 5pm. Community groups wishing to apply should contact Charlie Willsmore on 020 7324 4690.

The NLWA manages waste disposal for the boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest.