Community Composting Network

Say NO to exemption registration charges for Community Composting
The CCN is very concerned that the proposed new Environmental Permitting exemption, due to be introduced in October 2009, includes a charge for registering the activity of Community Composting. This at odds with both the low environmental risk activities and the wider Government message encouraging waste prevention and recycling, so we are urging people to write and to:
Jane Kennedy MP, Minister for Farming and the Environment
Defra
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Emails can be sent to Ministers via the Defra Helpline: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
And also your own MP (to find you own MP enter your postcode at http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/)

Any organisation 'undertaking or establishment' (i.e. anyone who is not composting in their own home as a householder), will be subject to a proposed £50 charge for registering their compost bins or worm bins. The proposed exemption also states that re-registering will also be required every three years which will also accompanied by a charge. This is a big disincentive to organisations on very tight budgets. We have drafted a letter to send or adapt and this can be downloaded at: www.communitycompost/news/exemptionsdraftletter.doc.

Thank you for your support!

DE-CENTRALISED ANAEROBIC DIGESTION PROJECT
CCN members are embarking on an Community Biogas Project partly funded by the Third Sector Capacity Building Program. The background to this project is discussed in the attached study Community Biogas Gell.doc and follows on from the earlier survey of members regarding AD.
The aim of the project is to develop a small scale or modular Anerobic Digestion Unit that can be used and operated by community groups. A steering group of members and experts will guide the project and it's hoped that a build of the unit will take place in Spring 09 funding permitting. If are interested in joining the steering group it's not to late please follow the link to the survey monkey form: Link to Anaerobic Digestion survey.

EXEMPTIONS RESPONSE
Although the official deadline is today it's still worth sending in your responses.Here is CCN's response which was sent in last night. Feel free to cut and paste anything from it into your own. Click here to download ccnexemptionsresponse.doc

CCN's draft Exemptions Response
Responses are invited from members and other not-for-profit organisations. As soon as possible please!The deadline for responses is by Thursday 24th October. Further versions may be uploaded here as uncertainties are clarified.

Workshop on Organic Waste exemption
The consultation for the new waste exemptions have been out since the end of July and there are a series of workhops as part of the consultation excercise. The one for organics is in Birmingham at the Ramada Hotel on the 7th October 2008. Click on the header for a plan.

Link to Anaerobic Digestion survey
Click on the headline for the link to the Survey Monkey as promised in the Growing Heap. It will collate for CCN the level of interest in this technology amongst the membership. If you are a member please do fill it in - if you are not a member but might be interested please contact CCN directly.

Waste Exemptions
The new Waste exemptions are out for consultation (follow link in headline. Members can read a summary in the latest edition of the Growing Heap. The deadline for responses is Thursday 23rd October

REcomomy and the THIRD SECTOR CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME
REconomy, a new partnership CIC between four community waste sector networks was launched at the joint CRNUK/LCRN confernce in London on the 4th June. To learn more about REconomy and the new Third Sector Capacity Building Programme - an exciting new joint initiative with WRAP (Waste Resources Action Programme)please follow this link to the REcomomy website: www.reconomy.org.uk

Compost Awareness Week 2008
We had a spectacular week this year, and with the help of WRAP managed to support 16 major projects across England and Wales. Compost Awareness Week Photos and Reports will be online soon.

Local Food Fund Events
See attached document here 155KB.
Also, visit the local food fund website.

More news
Right here on this website. Also see Events section for upcoming events.