In 1993 a group of allotment holders started a community composting project. They wanted to recycle green waste and create a local recycling facility for other items. All were committed to principles of recycling and environmental sustainability. The rural skip service was being filled up with many reusable/recyclable and compostable items and the nearest recycling centres were 15 and 22 miles distant. The group started their activities around these skips that came to the village each month and took out or diverted all the green waste.
They started making their own compost on an allotment space, and leafleted local residents to test interest in their activities. There was a good response and a small group of volunteers formed to produce the compost, working one weekend a month during skip weekends. Later the group started a collection round to include food waste but this had to be curtailed because of new regulations.
Proper Job Limited was set up in 1995, describing itself as “a community business committed to principles of sustainability and helping to create jobs”1. Plans had already developed to find a permanent site for larger scale compost production which would be funded in part by selling off surpluses. This was included in a broader development plan, which encompassed a holistic vision embracing the concept of healthy community achieved through the principles of community involvement and participation, with recycling as a central feature2.
Specific proposals included
- obtaining a permanent site for a Resource Centre for recycling, training and vegetable growing
- opening a wholefood community shop and café.
The plan was implemented over the next 5 years, financed by funding grants and a supporter who provided premises, fittings and equipment at a deferred rental. Supporters in thee community also loaned money to enable the purchase of the initial stock for the shop/café.