Berwickshire Community Councils' Forum and Environmental Group have been successful in attracting funding for the scheme which forms part of a national initiative.
The Waste Aware Scotland National Home Composting Campaign has been running since 2004, and nearly 200,000 subsidised home composting bins have been distributed to residents all over the country since the start of the scheme. Home Composting is the cheapest and most efficient way of diverting organic waste from landfill, and the scheme is a key part of the Scottish Government's Greener Scotland commitment.
The initial ten projects stretch from Shetland to the Scottish Borders, and it is hoped that further groups will be established in coming years. Master Composter schemes are an excellent way of engaging with the public at a local level, and of helping many people divert additional waste more often. Master Composter Volunteers can provide expert knowledge and support to their local community, and also make a direct contribution to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill on a national level.
Scottish Borders Council also distributed compost bins to a number of rural towns and villages in the region. For the coming year it is proposed that Duns, Kelso, Melrose, West Linton and their surrounding areas will be the focus of the project.
Berwickshire Community Councils' Forum Environmental Group have received money from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to support the employment of a Co-ordinator to bring volunteers together and arrange suitable training and support for them.
Berwickshire Housing Association and the Southern Uplands Partnership, working in conjunction with the BCCFEG, have agreed to provide office space and support for the Co-ordinator during the term of the project.