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Cumbria composting project gets green light to grow

We are delighted to announce that our award-winning Master Composter project has just been granted a year’s extension to branch out into new regions of Cumbria.
Tubs of compost with lollipop sticks in them.

Run in partnership with Cumbria County Council, the project was launched in 2017 as part of the council’s strategy to reduce the burden of waste from the county. The project follows the format of Garden Organic’s long-running Master Composter programme, where local volunteers are trained in all things ‘compost’ and then supported to go to events and activities within their local area to encourage residents to compost their own waste at home.

After a year of successfully running the project in Allerdale, Copeland, Eden and South Lakeland, Cumbria County Council have now decided to extend the project to cover Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle, continuing it for another year.

“We’re thrilled the success of this project has been recognised through this extension.” Commented Project Co-ordinator, Liz Sutton.

Cumbria is a beautiful county with a huge amount of very positive community pride which fits perfectly with the Master Composter way. However, there are many rural, isolated communities which can prove a challenge when trying to reach people. By expanding this project out into Barrow and Carlisle, recruiting another team member and training up more fantastic volunteers, we’re confident we will be able to get even more Cumbrians composting!”

Cumbria is just one of the 10 locations where Garden Organic runs the Master Composter programme, including Suffolk, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire and Shropshire. The longest running scheme, based in Norfolk, celebrated its 10th anniversary last year.

The charity puts the project’s success down to its simplicity “When people master the art of composting their behaviour changes for life and they can’t help persuading everyone they know to try it too.” Commented Steve Thomson, Operations Director at Garden Organic. “By bringing together likeminded enthusiasts and providing the training they need to become ‘Master Composters’ we can give people all the tools they need to spread the word.”

The Cumbria Master Composter programme is currently recruiting for a part time Project Co-ordinator to work alongside Liz. For more information visit www.gardenorganic.org.uk/vacancies. For details on volunteering with this or any other Master Composter visit www.gardenorganic.org.uk/master-composter-schemes