An innovative community composting enterprise in rural Wales is demonstrating how food waste can be a valuable local resource rather than a disposal problem. Criw Compostio, founded by Steph Robinson and ffin Jordao near Machynlleth, Powys, collects organic waste from local cafes and businesses, transforming it into high-quality, peat-free compost that remains within the community.
The initiative operates on a circular economy model: businesses pay Criw Compostio to collect their food waste, which is then processed into compost. This compost is subsequently made available to local growers on a 'pay what you feel' basis. These growers then use the nutrient-rich soil to cultivate produce, much of which is sold back to local markets, whole food shops, and even the cafes that initially provided the waste, completing a sustainable local loop.
Criw Compostio's operations extend beyond food waste, also collecting wood shavings from carpentry businesses and used bedding from rabbit and guinea pig owners. These materials are transported a short distance to a specialised processing site in Machynlleth, where 'hot, rat-proof hyper composters' rapidly break down the organic matter. The entire composting process takes approximately a year, resulting in an award-winning product.
The project originated from a grant-funded initiative by biologist ffin Jordao in 2022, with further funding enabling research and development. Both founders, who met at the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), advocate for keeping resources local. Their ethos dictates that the compost does not leave the immediate area, reinforcing the community-centric approach. While Powys council handles mandatory household food waste collections, Criw Compostio also offers sessions for residents and allotment holders keen to improve their home composting efforts.
Beyond the environmental benefits, the scheme also highlights significant social impacts. Founders note a heightened interest in growing food locally, partly driven by the ongoing cost of living crisis, making allotments 'hot property' in the area. Criw Compostio is not focused on expanding its own collection radius beyond 20 miles but is instead committed to helping other communities replicate their success, having already assisted groups in neighbouring Gwynedd and hosted participants from as far as Birmingham at their composting school.