Steve Ross-Smith is the founder of the Worm Research Centre. He has a wealth
of environmental and farming experience having run an organic farm since 1986.
His many practical skills bring originality and efficiency to all the projects
undertaken here at the Centre. He is an innovative thinker and, recognising
the enormous gaps in information regarding small scale composting and vermiculture,
has been tackling the problem head on. Using his skills in engineering, design
and technology (HND Distinctions) many new ideas are now being researched
and developed to create workable solutions to the enormous organic waste stream
problems faced by small commercial businesses. Please contact us if you think
there is something we can help you with. The Centre are the North of England
key Compost Doctors working with CRN UK (Community Recycling Network UK) and
the CCN (Community Composting Network), to support businesses in improving
their environmental resource efficiency. See the relevant tab for more information
on how we can support you. |
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The Compost
Doctors Programme
The Centre is the Northern division of the the SME Compost Doctors programme
which is a Defra BREW funded pilot programme that aims to investigate the options
for on-site composting of kitchen food waste. The Compost Doctors advise on
and assist in installing composting equipment in the grounds of catering establishments.
They are working with these establishments to support the staff in setting up
kitchen procedures to facilitate the separation of food waste. Having set this
up, staff are trained in using the composting system and are supported by the
Compost Doctor.
The onsite composting of the food and garden waste and, in some cases, cardboard
and paper waste, reduces the amount of residuals going to landfill. The finished
compost is not permitted to be taken off site so as to avoid ABPR.This means
that the sites selected for the programme have adequate gardens and grounds
on which to use the resulting compost.
There are a total of 12 projects running across England using various composting
systems………. A Rocket at a country hotel, a Big Hanna at The Yorkshire Air Museum
and a prison; several Jora 270 tumblers; at various pubs and a YHA; a large
Joraform JK5100, the first in the UK. There is also equipment, designed by the
Compost Doctors including The GREEN MACHINE solution (a mix of WormPods and
Hot Boxes); Compost Tumblers at 2 cafes, Keenan Easy Feeders at a farm shop
and café Scotty's Hot Boxes at a National Trust property and a hotel.
The CRN UK are managing this project and are working in partnership with the
Community Composting Network (CCN) to utilise the expertise of their community
composting groups (including the Worm Research Centre.) We believe that the
strength of this programme lies with the expertise that the Compost Doctors
can provide to establishments in professionalising the arena of composting.
They are able to assist, advise and support in the selection of the equipment,
establishing kitchen procedures and in the composting process. All of this can
be daunting to the composting novice. On this programme we are working with
4 separate establishments with varying needs for composting. CASE
STUDIES |
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