As environmental consciousness grows, the demand for sustainable waste management solutions increases. Green spaces in urban areas often feel like a gift, but one of the biggest challenges to maintaining these spaces is managing green waste, that is, any organic waste, such as grass cuttings, branches, etc. Historically, much of this green waste has been sent to Energy from Waste (EfW) facilities, where it’s incinerated for energy recovery. While this process is more eco-friendly than landfill, we’ve devised a more sustainable solution. We knew at Recorra there must be a better solution for this nutrient rich material, and were determined to find a way of capturing this, allowing plants to find a way to be plants again! We’ve developed a green waste composting initiative in collaboration with landscaping companies that manage prestigious London estates. This program not only addresses the challenge of green waste management but also provides a more environmentally friendly alternative to EfW.
What is green waste and why is it a problem?
Green waste refers to organic material generated from gardens, parks, and landscapes, including grass clippings, leaves, tree branches, hedge trimmings, etc. Without a dedicated collection system, most green waste is sent to EfW facilities. Whilst better than landfill, EfW is not without its drawbacks. The process involves incinerating waste to produce energy, but it also releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere. Moreover, valuable nutrients contained in green waste are lost forever, rather than being returned to the soil.
What is the solution?
Recognising the need for a more sustainable solution, Recorra began working with landscaping teams such as Q&S across London’s large estates, such as the Broadgate Estate, to develop a process that could effectively collect and compost this green waste. We needed to work with teams on the front lines of green waste production and management, and in partnership we designed a system that allows us to do this. Composting is commonplace in domestic settings, so why not apply it to urban estates? Humans were composting in prehistoric times, using compost to improve their farms thousands of years ago. However, this composting is more difficult in areas like commercial estates, due to their size, the volume produced, and the limited space available to compost on site.We provided customers with dedicated 1100L bins for their green waste. Due to the volume produced on several of our client sites, we were able to create a dedicated collection route using our RCVs, meaning we can provide our customers with real weights.
Where does green waste go?
Once collected, the green waste is transported to local composting facilities that specialise in organic matter processing. Here, the waste undergoes a controlled composting process, where it’s broken down by microorganisms in the presence of oxygen. This process not only prevents the release of harmful greenhouse gases like methane, but also produces high-quality compost that is rich in nutrients.The compost is then returned to the estates, completing the circular story. Composting reduces carbon emissions, enhances soil quality, and helps promote biodiversity, particularly when used across urban estates. Organic compost replaces the need for peat-based compost, which act as a carbon sink and emit 4-5% of human-produced greenhouse gas emissions. This means the benefit has a dual purpose, ensuring green waste gets sent to its best environmental outcome whilst replacing the need for peat-based compost, which can have a negative effect on the environment.
What does the future hold for our green waste recycling service?
Our green waste service is about creating more sustainable urban spaces across London; by collaborating with landscaping teams from Broadgate and other trial clients, we’ve developed a system that transforms green waste into a valuable resource. As we continue to refine and expand this program, we are excited about the role it will play in promoting sustainability across urban landscapes. With our customers, Recorra turns waste into a resource, reducing their carbon footprint and enhancing the beauty and health of our shared spaces. Our summer trial has been a roaring success, and we look to do this again next year. If your business would like to be a part of our success story, get in touch with our Helpdesk at helpdesk@recorra.co.uk to find out if you could be a candidate.
