| Alchemy - Frequently Asked Questions | ||
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| Otter Rotters (OR) is a not for profit Community Enterprise that started in 2000 with a group of neighbours collecting green waste in a wheelbarrow. Community involvement and a group of dedicated volunteers have led to fortnightly kerbside collection services covering communities around the Otter Valley. Operating profits are retained for local community projects and not shareholders. | ||
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| We are particularly proud of the Kitchen Waste Composting Scheme we call Alchemy that exists today, established with your help and involvement and may we take this opportunity to THANK YOU. Please see our achievements for some of the ways we've been recognised. | ||
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| Q: What is Alchemy? | ||
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| More than 600 residents of Honiton, Combe Raleigh and Dunkeswell have taken part. Their kitchen waste was collected and processed at Combe Raleigh for over a year producing compost and methane that was used to run a generator and produce electricity. The kitchen waste is heated using recycled timber from our other major project which collects unwanted timber from builders, demolition and construction businesses. This timber is burnt to heat the mixture of kitchen waste to the required temperature for 5 hours. | ||
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| Q: Why is the OR scheme so worthy of retention? | ||
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| A: The material is digested anaerobically using a system that is not unlike what goes on in a cows stomach. The pioneering work we have done developing a system that works on this scale has gained a lot of national interest and is worth supporting because it turns a problem that is kitchen waste into a resource that can be valued and used by its local community. | ||
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| Also, here in this part of East Devon, with the continuing decline in the agricultural economy suitable local employment opportunities are valuable. | ||
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| Q: What does it do for our communities? | ||
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| A: It reduces transport movements and pollution, produces its own renewable energy source, waste becomes valuable as the raw material for making compost, creates local employment. | ||
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| Q: What are the type of community projects OR gets involved with? | ||
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| A: Locally we helped Payhembury Primary School with their display garden entry for Hampton Court Palace. We have supplied compost and recycled timber for raised vegetable beds to local schools. We also work closely with Robert Owen Communities to provide work experience for people with learning and physical disabilities. We have planted a Community Orchard providing an opportunity for local people to access locally grown, pesticide-free fruit. |
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| Having outlined aspects of the KW scheme we hope the importance of the scheme has been highlighted. The scheme was funded by Leader+ as a pilot scheme which means we now have to channel Otter Rotter resources into spreading the word and reviewing and updating our scheme so it is ready for the next phase processing waste from agricultural or commercial sources. | ||
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Tel: 07837 477050
Email: info@otterrotters.co.uk
