GARDEN waste collected from people’s homes is being turned into compost for sale in the Reuse Shop at Keynsham Recycling Centre.
Bath & North East Somerset Council collects the waste as part of its fortnightly green bin service and at its three recycling centres. It is then taken to two local farms, one in Yate and the other near Wells, where it is turned into certified compost.
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “We are encouraging residents to compost at home, but where they aren’t able to, they can take their garden waste to the nearest recycling centre or opt into our doorstep collections.
“Partnering with our composting contractor Pennys is a great example of a closed-loop recycling service, with collected garden waste being composted under controlled conditions to produce a good-quality compost that residents can buy locally.”
The council said that all Pennys compost meets strict rules to gain the BSI PAS 100 standard, the leading industry accreditation for compost quality.
George Worle, waste and recycling manager for Pennys Group, said: “We are delighted to be working in association with Bath & North East Somerset Council and are proud to see our bags on the shop floor at the Reuse Shop in Keynsham.”
He said the initiative would also raise awareness of what happens to garden waste once it is collected.
To ensure the compost remains high-quality, householders are asked ensure that any garden waste put out for collection in the council’s green bins, or dropped in the skips at the recycling centres, does not contain any plastic bags, pots or plastic plant labels.
A 40-litre bag of multi-purpose organic compost sells for £4 in the Reuse Shop, which is located inside the recycling centre. The shop is open Tuesday to Friday 9am to 3.30pm and Saturday 9.30am to 3pm.
People who are not Bath & North East Somerset residents are not allowed to drive onto the site, but they are welcome to park nearby and use the footpaths to access the Reuse Shop. A map and further information about the shop can be found on the council’s website at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/keynsham-reuse-shop
Pictured (left to right) Tom Brimble, Pennys director, Councillor Tim Ball and George Worle, Pennys waste and recycling manager
Compost for sale at Keynsham Recycling Centre
