Overview
PROJECT SUMMARY
SWAN was started in 1998 by five local people who felt there was a lot that could be done about waste locally.
From the start home composting has been SWAN's main focus. Organic waste makes up around 25-50 % of household waste, and is a particularly polluting waste stream in landfill. Through home composting, organic waste can be dealt with at source and turned into a useful product simply and cheaply. SWAN initially set out to demonstrate that home composting was practicable in Highland through a programme to provide compost bins, raise awareness and provide the support and advice that local people needed.
The first phase, Adopt-A-Composter, started with a £3,000 grant and tested out various types of home composters to see which was the best for local conditions. Over 100 bins of 15 different types were provided to 82 households, eight businesses and five schools and they were supported by help and advice from a 'Compost Doctor'. By the end of the project over 72 households were composting at least 90% of their organic waste.
The second phase, Northern Cairngorms Composting Project, was funded principally through Highland Council Landfill Tax Credits. Taking the lessons learned from Adopt-a-Composter, composting bins and information about how to compost (and why) were distributed over a wider area, covering communities across Badenoch and Strathspey district. A part-time project officer was employed and 1263 compost bins of the type identified as most suitable in the first phase were bought. The bins were sold at a subsidised price (£5 each) to individuals, schools, businesses and organisations. All the money raised by selling bins was put back into the project. The first 1000 bins were distributed in 4 months. The amount of organic waste diverted from landfill was estimated through some participants weighing their waste and the potential diversion rate was assessed. This showed that over 2,200 tonnes of organic waste could potentially be diverted by households in Badenoch & Strathspey per year (0.3 tonnes/year/household), and that home composting is a realistic solution for much biodegradable waste.
The third phase, Northern Cairngorms Zero Biodegradable Waste Project, was also supported by Highland Council's Landfill Tax Credits. Through this project 11 Community Composting Agents are employed, covering every community in Badenoch and Strathspey district. The Composting Agents, working only a few hours each week, promote home composting within their community, provide a local access point for bins (another 600 were purchased for distribution), information and practical advice. Enthusiasm for composting is also generated through visits to schools and groups. SWAN's organic waste programme has been successful because five dedicated and committed individuals wanted to do something about waste, and believed other people wanted to do something too. Now approximately 1 in 7 households in Badenoch and Strathspey are involved in composting through SWAN's projects, diverting around 480 tonnes of waste annually from landfill.
The organisation will continue working to reduce waste. Tackling commercial organic waste, disposable nappies and plastic bags are just some of the issues SWAN is now targeting.
KEY PARTNERS
Key partners from outside the community included:
WHAM's Community Officer who provided advice and encouragement at the start, and an organisation to link into.
Councillors on Highland Council's Landfill Tax Committee.
Highland Council's Sustainability Officer.
Scottish Natural Heritage - involved in tree chipping.
British Trust Conservation Volunteers - involved in tree chipping. Their volunteers were given training.
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency - SWAN advised them on speakers for public meetings. SWAN also organised local consultation meetings for Local Waste Plan.
FUNDERS
Funding has been attracted from a number of sources over the years:
1998
£3,093 WHAM
1999/2000
£300 Cairngorms Partnership, RSPB, Badenoch & Strathspey Conservation Group (BSCG), Community Councils
2000/2001
£29,782 £25,000 from Highland Council Landfill Tax Credits
rest from Cairngorms Partnership; Moray, Badenoch & Strathspey Enterprise; Highland Council Local Agenda 21; RSPB; Community Councils and private donations.
2001/2002
£1,114 from Highland Council Network 21, SNH and Community Councils
2002/2003
£26,486 £25,000 from Highland Council Landfill Tax Credits. rest from Cairngorms Partnership; SNH; Community Councils; WHAM
Throughout, the main capital expenditure has been the purchase of the compost bins for distribution. For example, nearly 50% of the Landfill Tax Credit award from Highland Council in 2000 was spent on purchasing bins. Although these are sold, income does not fully cover their cost. Many of the compost bins are sold to participants for a subsidised price of £5. Some are given free to those who have difficulty buying them. The income generated in this way has enabled SWAN to buy more bins for distribution.
Revenue costs for all SWAN's projects are low as they do not maintain offices, and all work is done from the homes of the staff and management committee.
THEMATIC CRITERIA
Highland Recycling / Waste Reduction; facilitating organisation; Sustainable Communities
Overview
PROJECT SUMMARY
SWAN was started in 1998 by five local people who felt there was a lot that could be done about waste locally.
From the start home composting has been SWAN's main focus. Organic waste makes up around 25-50 % of household waste, and is a particularly polluting waste stream in landfill. Through home composting, organic waste can be dealt with at source and turned into a useful product simply and cheaply. SWAN initially set out to demonstrate that home composting was practicable in Highland through a programme to provide compost bins, raise awareness and provide the support and advice that local people needed.
The first phase, Adopt-A-Composter, started with a £3,000 grant and tested out various types of home composters to see which was the best for local conditions. Over 100 bins of 15 different types were provided to 82 households, eight businesses and five schools and they were supported by help and advice from a 'Compost Doctor'. By the end of the project over 72 households were composting at least 90% of their organic waste.
The second phase, Northern Cairngorms Composting Project, was funded principally through Highland Council Landfill Tax Credits. Taking the lessons learned from Adopt-a-Composter, composting bins and information about how to compost (and why) were distributed over a wider area, covering communities across Badenoch and Strathspey district. A part-time project officer was employed and 1263 compost bins of the type identified as most suitable in the first phase were bought. The bins were sold at a subsidised price (£5 each) to individuals, schools, businesses and organisations. All the money raised by selling bins was put back into the project. The first 1000 bins were distributed in 4 months. The amount of organic waste diverted from landfill was estimated through some participants weighing their waste and the potential diversion rate was assessed. This showed that over 2,200 tonnes of organic waste could potentially be diverted by households in Badenoch & Strathspey per year (0.3 tonnes/year/household), and that home composting is a realistic solution for much biodegradable waste.
The third phase, Northern Cairngorms Zero Biodegradable Waste Project, was also supported by Highland Council's Landfill Tax Credits. Through this project 11 Community Composting Agents are employed, covering every community in Badenoch and Strathspey district. The Composting Agents, working only a few hours each week, promote home composting within their community, provide a local access point for bins (another 600 were purchased for distribution), information and practical advice. Enthusiasm for composting is also generated through visits to schools and groups. SWAN's organic waste programme has been successful because five dedicated and committed individuals wanted to do something about waste, and believed other people wanted to do something too. Now approximately 1 in 7 households in Badenoch and Strathspey are involved in composting through SWAN's projects, diverting around 480 tonnes of waste annually from landfill.
The organisation will continue working to reduce waste. Tackling commercial organic waste, disposable nappies and plastic bags are just some of the issues SWAN is now targeting.
KEY PARTNERS
Key partners from outside the community included:
WHAM's Community Officer who provided advice and encouragement at the start, and an organisation to link into.
Councillors on Highland Council's Landfill Tax Committee.
Highland Council's Sustainability Officer.
Scottish Natural Heritage - involved in tree chipping.
British Trust Conservation Volunteers - involved in tree chipping. Their volunteers were given training.
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency - SWAN advised them on speakers for public meetings. SWAN also organised local consultation meetings for Local Waste Plan.
FUNDERS
Funding has been attracted from a number of sources over the years:
1998
£3,093 WHAM
1999/2000
£300 Cairngorms Partnership, RSPB, Badenoch & Strathspey Conservation Group (BSCG), Community Councils
2000/2001
£29,782 £25,000 from Highland Council Landfill Tax Credits
rest from Cairngorms Partnership; Moray, Badenoch & Strathspey Enterprise; Highland Council Local Agenda 21; RSPB; Community Councils and private donations.
2001/2002
£1,114 from Highland Council Network 21, SNH and Community Councils
2002/2003
£26,486 £25,000 from Highland Council Landfill Tax Credits. rest from Cairngorms Partnership; SNH; Community Councils; WHAM
Throughout, the main capital expenditure has been the purchase of the compost bins for distribution. For example, nearly 50% of the Landfill Tax Credit award from Highland Council in 2000 was spent on purchasing bins. Although these are sold, income does not fully cover their cost. Many of the compost bins are sold to participants for a subsidised price of £5. Some are given free to those who have difficulty buying them. The income generated in this way has enabled SWAN to buy more bins for distribution.
Revenue costs for all SWAN's projects are low as they do not maintain offices, and all work is done from the homes of the staff and management committee.
THEMATIC CRITERIA
Highland Recycling / Waste Reduction; facilitating organisation; Sustainable Communities
Plan
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The Northern Cairngorms Zero Biodegradable Waste Project is run by Strathspey Waste Action Network (SWAN). The Zero Biodegradable Waste Project is the current phase of SWAN's programme to minimise biodegradable waste in Badenoch & Strathspey district and is a natural progression from previous projects run by SWAN.
All of this work is linked and each piece is a progression from the previous piece of work.
OUTPUTS
Other projects/groups, for example, The Highland Real Nappy Project, Strathspey Organic Gardening Group and The Green Bag initiative, came out of this project.
FUTURE STEPS
Do it! Involve as many people as possible.
With an eye to the future, SWAN envisages that the improvements will be permanent.
Local people are continuing, in ever greater numbers, to be involved in composting and waste minimisation.
SWAN plans to work with the Council to make progress with a community composting scheme at local civic amenities sites, in partnership with Highland Council, to take green waste from municipal and landscape gardeners as well as households.
It is also planned to progress with the management of catering waste in partnership with local businesses.
SWAN, in partnership with WHAM, set up, and is currently running The Highland Real Nappy Project. 'Disposable' nappies make up around 4% of domestic waste. The aim of the project is to reduce this amount by encouraging parents to consider the wide variety of washable nappies now available. To this end, activities so far, have included:
- The distribution of 3,000 leaflets, with another 3,000 currently being distributed to all council service points and medical practices across Highland local authority area.
- Articles in various publications, posters and displays in three health centres.
- A stall and display at the annual conference of Highland Health Visitors.
- A help-line available by phone or email has been established.
- Survey of existing real nappy users has been undertaken . A report and the results circulated.
- Support from the midwifery staff has been established. Leaflets are included in the literature given to all new mums on the maternity wards, ensuring that the message reaches around 1,700 mums per year.
A presentation was given to the Council's Financial Inclusion Working Group as a first step towards working in partnership with the Council to promote real nappies for lower income families. Real nappies are also now on the agenda of the Sustainable Development Select Committee.
SWAN has applied for Landfill Tax funding for the project. If granted, it is intended to establish a voluntary nappy agent network with an agent in each main community in Highland to promote real nappies locally.
The Nethybridge Green Bag joint pilot project by Nethybridge Tourist Association and SWAN finished in 2003. This project successfully encouraged re-use of recycled plastic bags, raised awareness about litter and waste and promoted local attractions. SWAN has applied for funding to extend this project to other communities and to trial a voluntary cost-covering levy on plastic carrier bags at participating shops.
Progress
SWAN was established in early 1998 when five local people got together because of concern about local waste. They could see that positive changes could be made and better use could be made of waste, to turn waste into a resource rather than a problem.
Early 1998
SWAN approached WHAM (Waste - Highland Action on Minimisation) for advice on how to deal with the problem. WHAM provided advice along with a grant of £3000 to start operations.
A public meeting was held to ascertain local interest in tackling the problem and to bring people into the organisation. A further public meeting was held and although composting was the focus, there was interest in the bigger waste problem. It was decided to run a pilot initiative to find out how successful home composting could be in the Badenoch & Strathspey area, and which type of composter was most suitable in this relatively harsh climate
1998-1999
The 'Adopt-A-Composter' pilot initiative, financed by a grant of £3,000 from WHAM, was run from the summer of 1998 to the autumn of 1999. Over 100 composting units of 15 different types were provided to 82 households, eight businesses and five schools.
SWAN members provided free advice, support, and the services of a trouble-shooting 'Compost Doctor' to all compost volunteers.
The results of the pilot were extremely positive:
- 87% of households provided with composters were composting at least 90% of their organic waste.
- 97% of those involved were satisfied with their composter and 65% were very satisfied. Only one volunteer gave up composting.
- An average of 3.2kg of kitchen waste per household per week was diverted from landfill through the project, along with substantial amounts of garden waste.
- Of the types of composter tested the Rotol appeared to be the best bin for the district, where ability to gather and hold heat, and resist wind are very important.
- Home composting can offer substantial savings in waste disposal costs.
- Support for compost volunteers contributed to the success of the initiative.
The pilot showed that providing households, businesses and schools in Badenoch & Strathspey with appropriate composting units and back-up support results in successful home composting, leading to significant economic, educational and environmental benefits.
Funding was sought to expand the pilot initiative and to demonstrate the potential for home composting, covering all of Badenoch & Strathspey.
2000-2001
Funding was received for the next stage of the Project from Highland Council Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, Moray, Badenoch & Strathspey Enterprise, The Cairngorms Partnership and Highland Council Local Agenda 21. This stage of the programme was called The Northern Cairngorms Composting Project.
It was run by volunteers and a part-time project officer between May 2000 and November 2001. It assessed quantities of organic waste diverted from landfill, and attitudes to composting and waste minimisation. A total of 1263 Rotol compost bins was provided with free support and advice to 771 participants. Most bins were taken by householders. The remainder went to businesses, schools and other organisations. Again the results were very positive:
- The 771 volunteers are diverting a total of over 260 tonnes of organic waste from landfill annually.
- The uptake, combined with that of the previous pilot initiative, meant that approximately 1 in 8 households in Badenoch & Strathspey have a composter from SWAN.
- There was strong support for composting (over 90% found composting 'enjoyable').
- Nearly 100% of participants were using their bins.
- Over 90% of participants were composting both kitchen and garden waste, and over 65% were composting paper.
- There was strong support amongst respondents for promoting home composting throughout Highland local authority area.
The project showed that:
- There is real potential for home composting to become a major part of an integrated waste strategy for Highland, helping to meet the landfill directive by dealing with a significant proportion of municipal waste simply and effectively at source.
- Home composting is a realistic solution for biodegradable waste for many households, businesses, organisations and schools.
- There is potential for a total of over 2,200 tonnes of organic waste per year to be composted by households in the area. This represents around 0.3 tonnes per year per household in Badenoch & Strathspey, i.e. up to a quarter of all household waste.
- Home composting minimises organic waste at source effectively, economically and enjoyably, saving the environmental impacts and costs of landfill.
Funding was sought to develop biodegradable waste minimisation further, with composting of Council and community waste, expanding home composting, and composting of commercial catering waste.
2002-2003
In 2002 funding of £25,000 was received from Highland Council Landfill Tax Credit Scheme for the next phase of the programme, The Northern Cairngorms Zero Biodegradable Waste Project.
In the summer of 2002, 600 Rotol composters were purchased for distribution to households, schools and businesses. The promotion of home composting of kitchen, garden and paper waste from households, schools and businesses was developed through community-based Composting Agents.
11 part-time Community Composting Agents were recruited (and continue to be employed) who between them cover every community in the district. Within their communities the Composting Agents provide a local distribution point for compost bins, promote composting and provide free support and advice. This community-based system for promoting home composting is working well and continues while present funding allows. Composters were promoted through the local press, posters, at specific promotional events and at Highland Games, agricultural shows, etc.
From the start of the waste campaign until January 2003, over 1,600 composters have been distributed. Approximately 1 in 7 households in Badenoch & Strathspey now have a composter from SWAN
Taking an average of 0.3 tonnes of organic waste being composted per household per year (SWAN survey November 2000) this amounts to over 480 tonnes of organic waste being diverted from landfill annually.
In 2003 an independent composting consultant was commissioned to carry out the first local survey on catering waste and to collect data on commercial waste in Badenoch & Strathspey. This survey is now underway and focuses on hotels, guesthouses and restaurants. Almost 200 questionnaires have been distributed to establishments across the area, requesting information on the amount of waste produced and current levels of recycling. The results of the survey will be used to devise an effective strategy for composting catering waste. In addition, the catering establishments are being asked to highlight other problem waste streams. Early responses have indicated that there is strong demand for a range of local, accessible recycling points for a range of wastes, across the district. The results of the survey and recommendations will be published in 2003.
A natural extension of the composting project was the establishment of a local organic gardening group. This organises visits to organic gardens and promotes organic gardening methods.
Run in conjunction with all of the above, and as a part of the overall waste minimisation project, Xmas tree chipping and education and promotional work have been carried out every year since 1998.
Xmas tree chipping
A free Xmas tree chipping service has been provided in Badenoch & Strathspey for the past five years (since Xmas 1998). There are a total of 12 collection sites involving every community in the district. The service was promoted through all the schools (10 primaries and 2 secondaries). It was also promoted through all community councils, Church leaders and by local posters and through the local paper.
An estimated 2,000 trees have been diverted from landfill over the five year period. Chips were available free and were used by several schools, a playgroup, some businesses and householders, as a mulch for their grounds and gardens, and on paths and play areas.
Educational and promotional work
SWAN has successfully established and maintained a high profile for composting and waste minimisation.
- Regular articles have appeared in the local press giving details of interesting highlights of the programme.
- The presentation of a food hamper to the recipient of the 1,000th Rotol attracted extensive media coverage and was supported by council members and MPs.
- SWAN continues to have a presence at many public events.
- Advice and information was presented to several groups who have, or intend to initiate, their own composting projects.
- SWAN has continued to promote waste awareness in schools and to community groups.
- SWAN has led waste and composting educational activities at several schools in the district, including taking a lead role in the innovative 'Waste Week' held at one primary school.
- SWAN has established a vegetable garden in a school, which demonstrates use of compost as a resource.
- Some bins were given away free where this was helpful for promotional or education purposes. Composters were donated to the community garden project in Boat of Garten, which appeared on television.
Review
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Widespread composting throughout Badenoch & Strathspey.
- Increase in biodegradable waste minimisation.
- Decrease in waste going to landfill.
- Raised awareness locally about waste issues by pointing out that landfill operations cost a lot of money, are not environmentally friendly and noone wants one near them
- Raising awareness out-with Badenoch & Strathspey. The Lochaber Environmental Group's Monitoring Report on Home Composting (2001) points out that:-
- Highland Council now promotes home composting as one of the main ways of promoting waste minimisation.
- The Council uses the composter, identified by the pilot project as the best model for the Highlands, and works closely with the voluntary sector, through WHAM, distributing these bins.
- The survey from the pilot project was, at that time, the major work in the Highlands to provide information about the quantities of waste that can be diverted from landfill by home composting.
Beneficiaries from the project include
- The general community through a reduction in waste and fly-tipping, and the resultant reduction in waste disposal costs.
- Participants through having free or subsidised composters, and free training, advice and information.
- Community groups through information and advice. Individuals through doing something worthwhile, raising confidence and self esteem.
- Schools through projects, information and education.
- The users of compost and tree chips.
MEASURING ACHIEVEMENTS
Success is measured in several ways.
The amount of organic waste diverted from landfill.
The amount of people composting who were not previously composting.
The amount of people composting more than they did previously.
The amount of support for the project.
The level of local awareness about waste issues. An indicator of this is the level of local response to the Highland Waste Strategy public consultation - 'more than would be expected' (Summary of consultation results).
PROCESS (local involvement)
This is very much a local project. The key local individuals are the original SWAN steering group; the SWAN Management Committee and the project officer and community composting agents.
Many hundreds of people have been involved locally. (All 12 local schools have been involved with one aspect or another of SWAN's projects and there are approximately 771 households with a composter from SWAN). This includes:
- Local councillors
- Council staff
- Volunteers.
- Participants in composting and tree chipping.
- Local accountant - gives services free.
- Landowners.
- Church leaders.
- School pupils.
- Teachers.
- Local Newspaper.
- Community Councils.
- Community Groups.
- Cairngorms Partnership
- RSPB
- SNH
- Local Enterprise Company
- Local shops
All of the management committee are local residents.
Local people have been involved in decision making through public meetings, surveys, questionnaires, and by feedback to individual members of the Management Committee.
They have also been involved, in a broader sense, through the Highland Waste Strategy public consultation for future waste management in the Highlands. 25% of total responses came from Badenoch & Strathspey.
Locals are encouraged to take part in the project, and the ongoing nature of the sceme ensures continued interest and involvement. There are new people becoming involved all the time. For example, school pupils and teachers through waste clubs and composting and recycling initiatives in the schools, people moving house and the Project Officer and Community Composting Agents.
A newsletter that was produced by the project officer which gives composting tips and gives information on related waste topics encourages continued interest. As do leaflets, posters, articles and advertisements in the local newspaper, and appearances at events such as Highland Games and agricultural shows.
LESSONS
Lessons learned include:-
- Taking risks - not being afraid to give something a try.
- To have broad aims.
- The value of promoting the project e.g. through the local paper.
- Networking, partnerships and inclusion are extremely valuable.
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