Shrewsbury composting operation to expand

Nine British farms including one right here in Shrewsbury are to receive funding and business advice from WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) that will enable them to expand their small on farm compost production facilities to fully licensed commercial operations, or increase the range and quantity of materials composted.

As a result of the funding it is predicted that the nine farms could increase their income and compost production capacity from kitchen and/or garden waste by up to 75,000 tonnes - taking the UK’s overall capacity to over 3.475 million tonnes.

WRAP supports companies that produce and sell quality compost through the provision of capital support, consultancy, advice on training, and through the leasing of equipment.  One business set to benefit from WRAP funding is Agri-post the on farm composting operation run by farmer Mark Gethin in Cardeston near Shrewsbury.

Managing Director Mark Gethin, said “The funding and practical advice that we have received from WRAP has been invaluable in helping us to improve and expand the business, and to ensure that the compost we produce is of the highest quality.”

The funding will scale up operations to enable the composting of an additional 10,000 tonnes of garden waste and cardboard each year which is supplied by Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council and Shropshire County Council from local households.

For more information on compost or how WRAP could help your business, visit www.wrap.org.uk/composting.