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 | Lancashire Times A Voice of the Free Press |
3:49 PM 11th March 2022
nature
Modern Milkman Launches Nationwide Search For Mini Waste Warriors
Taking a hands-on approach when it comes to teaching the next generation greener ways to live, the Modern Milkman has announced its ‘Community Compost’ competition, calling for primary schools to get involved to educate children across the UK on why it’s time to toss our banana skins on the heap, rather than in the bin.
Having already saved over 30 million plastic bottles (and counting!) from landfill, the sustainable brand is now working alongside the Circular Economy Network at Manchester Metropolitan University (recently crowned the number one sustainable university in the UK) to encourage people to commit to composting in a bid to reduce household waste.
According to the latest figures from WRAP, UK households produce over 6 million tonnes of food waste per year. Currently, less than 10% of this waste is composted at home, providing ample opportunity to further embrace composting in our daily routine.
When asked how they think composting is beneficial for the environment, one in 10 Brits thought it wasn’t and a further one in 10 openly admitted to having no idea what impact it had, if any.
However, younger generations demonstrated more appetite for composting than older age groups – those aged 16-34 were 10% more likely to compost than those 35 and above. The new community compost campaign aims to show people the benefits of composting and just how easy it is to turn bins to blooms, starting with those that really rule the house – kids.
All schools need to do to is sign up to fill out a short entry form that says why they’d like to take part, and how they’d use the £3k funding to help make adjustments that will make their school a greener place.
Once entries have been counted, those shortlisted to take part will be provided with everything they need to start turning their waste into wonder, including their very own compost heap and expert guidance from the Modern Milkman and Manchester Metropolitan University teams on how to use it.
The class that produces the most waste will be crowned ‘Waste Warriors of 2022’ and rewarded with a whole host of Modern Milkman goodies, as well as £3,000 in green funding to put towards a sustainable initiative that will have an eco-impact on their school. Whether it’s an allotment to grow DIY herbs and veg, better recycling facilities or sustainability training. Teachers need to nominate their class, with entries closing on 13th March 2022.
Speaking on the new campaign, Simon Mellin, Founder & CEO of The Modern Milkman, said:
“Although many people are keen to up their eco-credentials, we know it can sometimes be difficult when they don’t know where to start.
“Through our composting campaign, we want to show kids, teachers, and parents just how easy it is to start composting, and the benefits of doing so. We founded Modern Milkman on the basis that being sustainable should be convenient – our main aim is to make it simple for people to help the environment.
“Plenty of young people have been inspired by Greta Thunberg’s efforts when it comes to saving the planet – which is exactly why we want to get them involved in composting. By educating the next generation, we’re helping to protect the future of their planet – after all, it is the only one we’ve got!
“We want to show support to the brilliant schools across the country and work with them to teach children from a young age about composting, so they hopefully take it home and inspire the rest of the family to do the same! We can’t wait to see the entries come in and look forward to supporting the winning school with our green funding to make changes for the better.”
“Although many people are keen to up their eco-credentials, we know it can sometimes be difficult when they don’t know where to start.
“Through our composting campaign, we want to show kids, teachers, and parents just how easy it is to start composting, and the benefits of doing so. We founded Modern Milkman on the basis that being sustainable should be convenient – our main aim is to make it simple for people to help the environment.
“Plenty of young people have been inspired by Greta Thunberg’s efforts when it comes to saving the planet – which is exactly why we want to get them involved in composting. By educating the next generation, we’re helping to protect the future of their planet – after all, it is the only one we’ve got!
“We want to show support to the brilliant schools across the country and work with them to teach children from a young age about composting, so they hopefully take it home and inspire the rest of the family to do the same! We can’t wait to see the entries come in and look forward to supporting the winning school with our green funding to make changes for the better.”
Dr Carly Fletcher, Research Associate at the Manchester Metropolitan University and Bio-Plastics Europe, added:
“Composting is a brilliant way to see the circular economy in action, as it recirculates the resources discarded in kitchen and garden wastes to ultimately make something useful – i.e., compost. We are very excited about working with the Modern Milkman on this campaign as it has sustainability at its heart. And with a focus on education and awareness building, which is as important as the theory, we believe that this campaign has the ability to really make a difference.”
“Composting is a brilliant way to see the circular economy in action, as it recirculates the resources discarded in kitchen and garden wastes to ultimately make something useful – i.e., compost. We are very excited about working with the Modern Milkman on this campaign as it has sustainability at its heart. And with a focus on education and awareness building, which is as important as the theory, we believe that this campaign has the ability to really make a difference.”
https://blog.themodernmilkman.co.uk/win-3k-for-your-school-with-our-composting-competition/
Tips from the Circular Economy Network at Manchester Metropolitan University on keeping composting simple at home:
SIZE AND STYLE DON’T MATTER. While you can go as big and as fancy as you want, the key to home composting is to create a suitable environment for the three amigos of composting: microbes, bacteria, and fungi. This can be as simple as clearing a corner of your garden and using wooden pallets to contain your growing compost heap.
THE COMPOSTING TRIAD: HEAT, AIR AND TIME. When composting at home, sufficient heat, airflow and time is needed to allow the microbes, bacteria, and fungi to do their jobs. By positioning your composter/compost heap in a sunny spot, you can increase the temperature within – speeding up the process. Also, think about raising the composter/compost heap up off the ground, this will aid drainage and improve air flow. Regularly turning your compost will also help with airflow. Finally, be patient and trust the process – it takes time!
INPUT = OUTPUT. To produce great compost, the right mix of input material is needed. Aim for a good mix of green materials that add nitrogen and protein to encourage microbial growth (such as fruit/vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, eggshells, green leaves, grass clippings, etc.) as well as brown materials which add bulk, manage airflow/moisture retention, and enable bacteria and fungi to thrive (such as shredded paper, cardboard, sawdust, dried leaves, hay, etc.).
The Modern Milkman delivers fresh milk, groceries, and cleaning products directly to consumers’ doors via an easy-to-use app -offering a convenient way for Brits to adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle to preserve our planet’s resources. All of its drinks come in returnable glass bottles, which are collected, washed, and reused. Any packaging that isn’t reusable is plastic free, recyclable or home-compostable!