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“REuseREduce Recycle” by Mary is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 |
Many allotment plot holders are committed to the principles of the 3 R’s and work in a way that is environmentally friendly. We as a committee try to support these principles and try as best as we can to incorporate them into the management of the site.
Recycling is ingrained in what we do. Composting is encouraged on individual plots, and we have recently installed 3 communal composting bays. We have arrangements with local tree surgeons to supply us mulch which is free to all and is used as material for natural pathways or weed suppressant. We have over 100 old tyres on site which we use for building retaining walls, planters and for weighing down weed suppressant covers on vacant plots. There is an arrangement with a local scrap metal dealer to collect metal waste from site. There are numerous water butts on site collecting water from sheds greenhouses and communal buildings. We have established a free table where seedlings, surplus plants and produce is left for other people to take. On the same table people also leave tools and plant pots.
Alongside the numerous examples of reuse and recycling we are reducing some of the more harmful materials on site. As we have reclaimed more areas and let out all our plots and we are using significantly less weedkillers on ground management. We also no longer use plastic sheeting or carpets on site.
We are now actively encouraging wildlife on site and have spent time and resources to enhance the area.
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licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 |
We have built and landscaped a large pond on site which is inhabited by numerous beasties and frogs and tadpoles. We have installed hedgehog boxes, bird boxes, bat boxes and bird feeders to encourage birds and bats. There are numerous log piles and a bug hotel on site. Communal areas have been planted with buddleia, lavender, hyssop and poached egg plants to encourage butterflies and bees.
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by Agnieszka Kwiecień is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 |
This is in addition to individual plot holders who have a variety of bird feeders, bird baths, rock piles, insect houses and bee baths and bee friendly plants on their own plots.
As we become more aware of our wider responsibilities, we now stock Peat Free Compost in our shop.
A combination of all of the above makes us a more environmentally friendly site that is perhaps best evidenced by the establishment and maintenance of a large wildflower meadow, an orchard, a woodland glade and the wildlife pond.
A copy of our Do’s and Don’ts regarding the Allotment Waste Disposal and Recycling Facilities is below in the Bonfire and Composting Area Guidelines (or download pdf (60 kb))
Bonfire and Compost Area Guidelines
The area at the bottom of the site to the rear of the apiary has been allocated for composting and burning. The area surrounding the Compost Bays and Bonfire Collection Bays should always be kept clear to allow the Committee or work party members to work in and for the parking of cars. It is NOT to be used as a dumping area for general rubbish, glass, netting, plastics, metal & rubble etc. These materials should be removed from your plot and disposed at home or at the local waste disposal site.
Nothing is to be brought onto site from home or elsewhere for either burning or composting.
We would still encourage plot holders to maintain their own compost bins on their plots, but the new composting facility can accommodate your surplus green waste.
Compost Area
Please only use the compost bay designated for use for the current year.
Green compostable waste only.
Brussels Sprout stalks and other tough brassica stalks should be sawn into 8 inch lengths and smashed with heavy hammer.
No Mares Tail.
No Bindweed.
No Paper or Cardboard. That will be added by the Committee intermittently.
No woody material eg branches or hedge trimmings. This material can be deposited in the Bonfire collection bays.
No Christmas Trees.
No Conifers.
No diseased onions or leeks. Please remove from site.
No blighted potatoes. Please remove from site.
No blighted tomatoes. Please remove from site.
No club root infected brassica roots. Please remove from site.
No glass, netting, plant pots, plastic bags, plastic, weed suppressant, rubble or soil
Do not take rotted compost from the bays. We will be using it for communal areas, hanging baskets, refreshing raised beds or bagging up for sale.
Bonfire Area
As we are working within a much smaller burning area now, we’ve relocated to make space for the pond and it is also significantly closer to an area of brambles, which in dry seasons is effectively dry brush, we will need to limit the size of material that we can accept.
There are 2 bays:
One for wood, timber, bamboo canes and old pallets.
One for hedge trimmings, raspberry canes, sweetcorn stalks and tree cuttings etc.
Please ensure that the maximum length of any item left here is 5ft. Saw it or cut it down as that helps us to manhandle and build a suitably small fire.
No glass, netting, plant pots, plastic bags, plastic, weed suppressant, rubble or soil.
No green compostable waste.
No Brussels Sprout stalks.
No Christmas Trees.
No Conifers.
No Furniture
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS THEN PLEASE REFER TO ALAN PLOT 3 OR ANDY PLOT 25
Steptoe's Yard
At the top of the site, next to the car park opposite the Shop, we have created an area on which we store recycled materials eg timber, trailer covers, bricks, pallets and tyres etc. Some of these items are for sale, for the temporary use of plot holders or for use on communal projects or site maintenance/repairs. At any point in time some of these items may have been allocated to jobs or individuals.
It is not to be used as a dumping site for rubbish from plots.
For us to manage the facility effectively and to keep the area tidy absolutely NOTHING should be taken or left on Steptoe's Yard without contacting us in advance.
IF YOU HAVE A NEED FOR ANY OF THE MATERIALS OR HAVE ANYTHING WHICH WE MAY FIND USEFUL THEN PLEASE CONTACT ALAN (PLOT 3) ON SITE OR VIA EMAIL moretonalan1966@gmail.com
