The Executive gave a Sustainable Action Grant of £5,413 in 2002-03 to the Sustainable Technology and Research Network (STIR) to develop the skill base of young disabled people to work with recycling companies to increase recycling rates in Edinburgh .
STIR is a network of community projects linking business, environment and people. It is a not-for-profit organisation aiming to create opportunities for all. They draw from volunteers and community groups who may not be included in mainstream employment opportunities, including unemployed, disabled or merely those wanting to be involved.
They involve people by offering a high degree of personal support, development and training to enable volunteers to gain appropriate skills and qualifications. They involve their corporate partners in a skills exchange called the Community Business Banking Scheme. The projects are developed into small community businesses aiming to compete in the commercial arena. They bring paid staff and volunteers together to work towards a shared agenda of environmental sustainability. They believe that linking people, business and environment gives their projects long-term viability.
Community Compost Box Project (CCBP) was one of the community projects run by STIR Network, with the aim of developing a zero waste community enterprise recycling timber and providing opportunities for all.
The project started in February 2003 with financial help from the Scottish Executive and Edinburgh Environmental Partnership Grants Scheme using the Landfill Tax credits of Waste Recycling Group plc. The first year was a pilot project developing an infrastructure for a community enterprise. The work was based at Duncan Place Resource Centre, a community education centre, in Leith. The project was run by volunteers from a variety of backgrounds.
CCBP recycled timber into compost bins and other timber-based items. The bins were sold to the public to provide longer-term financial viability to the project. The project also provided a composting information service to help people wanting to know more about home composting.
In addition to building compost bins, the volunteers helped with bookkeeping, marketing and research. Volunteers gained training, work experience and skills to help them get into paid employment. Some volunteers were professionals working full-time but contributed by volunteering in the evening and at weekends.
Volunteers sorted the timber, measured and cut it, and made compost bins out of it. The timber left over was recycled into chipboard or used as fire wood. The bins were sold from the premises or delivered to customers. Other organisations, such as Colinton Community Composting, Redhall Walled Garden, LEEP, Four Winds Inspiration Centre, the Urban Alternatives and Edinburgh Council helped to advertise the bins. STIR looked to develop partnerships with garden centres to help them sell the bins.
Contact
STIR Network
25 East Norton Place
London Road
Edinburgh
EH7 5DR
Telephone: 0131 661 5671
E-mail: info@stirnetwork.com