The Tyfu Dyfi project - food, nature and well-being, has seen several food growing schemes take place in the Bro Dyfi community over the past year, but a surprising new partner has joined the efforts to grow more local food.
The Lloyds Coaches company have agreed to offer space to a new community group called Criw Compostio (composting crew) under the umbrella of social enterprise Ecodyfi and CAT (Center for Alternative Technology) to develop a pilot project making compost out of food waste. The aim is to reduce waste miles and produce compost for food growers by processing plant based waste materials at a local level.
This innovative partnership with Lloyds Coaches ensures Criw Compostio have an accessible and secure site in Machynlleth where trained volunteers will oversee the aerobic composting process and hold educational events. The project will employ a variety of composting methods and experiment with mechanisms of biological degradation to find out what works best for the community. The aim is to co-design a pilot service that works for local people and businesses and has the possibility to expand into other types of waste and bigger facilities. They will be starting with plant matter, coffee grinds, cardboard, grass clippings and green waste.
Dan Lloyd of Lloyds Coaches said:
"As a bus company, we are very aware of the need to reduce our carbon footprint. Supporting local environmental projects with such a clear community benefit as this is a great way of giving back to the local residents.”
Fin Jordao of CAT said:
"As a low carbon circular economy waste transformation initiative that generates resources for local food production, Tyfu Dyfi's community composting approach fits well with the type of local projects that Lloyds Coaches want to support. We are very thrilled to be collaborating with a business so embedded in the community as the bus service.”
Chris Higgins, Co-ordinator of the Tyfu Dyfi Project, said,
"The aim of the project is to increase the opportunities for growing fresh, healthy, local produce and in establishing this site it helps to create compost that will allow more people from Machynlleth and the surrounding area to grow food."
Criw Compostio’s team is recruiting members to provide compostable material and volunteers to operate the collection service to busineses and households in Machynlleth. The scheme will launch in February with collections offered two days a week using an electric cargo bike. There will be training events and volunteer work days around the biosphere and a Soil Symposium at CAT on May 13th/14th. Do get in touch to find out more.
bit.ly/criwcompostio or info@ecodyfi.cymru
