Schools get compost boost (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Schools get compost boost

A QUARTER of Wiltshire's secondary schools will benefit from new composting facilities after the project received more than £90,000 in Government funding.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust will provide composting facilities to one in four state secondary schools and raise pupils' awareness of the county's higher than average growth in municipal waste.

The project has been awarded £94,992 and is one of 36 to receive a share of £3m nationally through the Waste Partnership Fund.

This saw almost 600 funding applications and those that were chosen have been deemed as exemplary projects.

Environment minister Elliot Morley said: "By funding such a range of high quality projects, the real benefits and potential of the community sector and of partnership working will be there for everyone to see."

In-vessel composting systems are faster than conventional facilities and shred, mix, aerate, water and unload waste automatically.

The grants are part of Defra's £4m Community Sector Support Package (CSSP), which will help the community sector develop stronger links with local authorities and share their expertise.