01 July 2010
The parish of St Lawrence is taking steps to increase its recycling rate even further with the launch of the TEAM St Lawrence Composting Project, supported by the Transport and Technical Services recycling team.
TEAM St Lawrence was established last October with Targeted Environmental Action Management as its aim, which is reflected in the group’s name.
The 50 group members have been working to improve the parish outdoor environment. They will generate their own compost from kitchen and garden waste to benefit parish plants from next year onwards.
From next week, 6 compost bins will be positioned in and around the parish for members of TEAM St Lawrence to use as well as some key members of the community including Connétable Deidre Mezbourian and Reverend Phil Warren of St Lawrence Church.
The Connétable said “I am delighted that the parish can generate its own compost by recycling. Parishioners already recycle glass, paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and cans using the parish doorstep collection so the TEAM St Lawrence Composting Project takes our parish recycling another step forward.”
The idea of producing compost for use within the parish came from Sue Rodrigues, TEAM St Lawrence Co-Coordinator: “By making our own compost for next year’s projects we will be able to spend our fundraising money on more exciting things! It also complements the parish's environmental work by increasing the amount we can recycle and the group is very grateful to the support received from the TTS recycling team who have made this idea possible.”
Home composting
Generating good quality compost relies on the right mix of materials being recycled in the compost bins. For this reason, the composters will not be available for general use by parishioners although the States of Jersey supply subsidised home composting kits through most local garden centres for just £10.
Recycling Officer Emma Richardson said “Composting can reduce household rubbish by a third so this project will definitely be helpful in reducing the parish’s waste and increasing recycling, as well as providing good quality compost for TEAM St Lawrence. I hope this project will encourage more people to start home composting and turn their tea bags and vegetable peelings into something useful.”
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