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Food Waste Becomes Community Gold
19 Jul
Summary
- Business converts food scraps into peat-free compost for community use.
- Local growers use compost to produce food sold back to cafes.
- The initiative fosters community connection and combats loneliness.
Criw Compostio, a community compost business, is turning local food waste into a valuable resource. Founders Steph Robinson and ffin Jordao collect food scraps from businesses, transforming them into high-quality, peat-free compost. This compost is then supplied to local growers, who use it to cultivate food that returns to the very cafes that provided the waste.
This circular model ensures that resources remain within the community, with compost offered on a 'pay what you feel' basis. The initiative not only benefits the environment by diverting waste but also creates social impact. It fosters vibrant growing communities, helps individuals struggling economically to grow their own food, and provides opportunities for connection, addressing loneliness and disconnection.
Originating from a project initiated by ffin Jordao at the Centre for Alternative Technology, Criw Compostio has expanded to include composting schools to help other communities replicate their model. They also conduct sessions for households aiming to improve their home composting efforts. The business operates within a 20-mile radius, with growth focused on empowering others to start similar projects.
