Compost from Kerbside Waste
From September 2023, Torfaen Council is now offering residents free compost in a new effort to reuse green waste collected from local homes.
At a meeting of the Climate Ambassador Network, members of Climate Action Torfaen suggested that the green waste collected at kerbsides could be repurposed into fresh compost and be made available to all Torfaen residents.
Every year, about 3,500 tonnes of green waste is picked up at the kerbside, then taken to Newport to be turned into peat-free compost, and now, the council wants to give back by sharing this compost with the community!
By turning green waste into compost without peat, the council is not only providing a useful resource for gardens but also helping to reduce carbon emissions, keeping Torfaen on track with its goal to become net carbon zero by 2050. Peat-free compost is environmentally friendly because it avoids disturbing precious peatlands, which play an important role in supporting nature and protecting our planet.
Lauren Morse, a Climate Ambassador and owner of Zero Waste Torfaen in Cwmbran, shared her excitement about the program: “This is a fantastic initiative for Torfaen! Not everyone has the space or ability to compost at home, so it’s great to know that the green waste collected from our homes can be recycled locally and even given back to residents for free.”
The compost is available at the Household Waste Recycling Centre in New Inn, close to the fridge and freezer drop-off point. If you’re interested, just bring your own bags or containers and a shovel, and try to limit yourself to around two bags, so there’s enough for everyone.
Councillor Mandy Owen, Executive Member for the Environment, explained, “We used to provide compost made from green waste to schools and community groups, but this is the first time it’s open to the public. We hope this encourages more people to recycle garden waste instead of putting it in the purple-lidded bins. It’s not only better for the environment but also helps reduce peat use, which is vital for managing carbon emissions and preventing flooding.”
The council will review the trial to determine compost availability and location moving forward.
If you have garden waste like grass clippings, leaves, hedge trimmings, and small twigs, you can place these in your green bin for fortnightly collection. Increasing the recycling of green waste will help Torfaen meet the Welsh Government’s target of 70% recycling by 2050.