Manchester's freshest social enterprise Fairfield Materials Management has won the council tender, worth £770,000, to compost all of the fruit and vegetable waste from Manchester's wholesale market. This is a massive boost for Fairfield, who is the pioneer for this kind of enterprise in the UK.
Fairfield Materials Management's New Smithfield Market facility comprises three 10 metre vertical composting units. Between them, they can deal with 16 tonnes of waste every day and currently compost half of the waste from New Smithfield Market; the biggest wholesale fruit and vegetable market outside the capital. This means that over 4,000 tonnes of waste are currently being diverted from landfill, with this figure to double at the end of the year when another 3 units are installed.
This flagship organisation has attracted interest from all over the country and world. Other wholesale markets across the country are looking at Manchester's example and replicating. "This is fantastic recognition for the social enterprise sector and for sustainable waste management solutions in the UK. " - Emma Smith, Director.
Fairfield is a social enterprise; everything is focused on bringing real social and environmental benefits to Manchester. Compost is sold to local parks, allotment holders, households and landscapers. Compost will directly improve soil quality, increase available nutrients for plants, improve drainage and water retention.
www.gmcomposting.co.uk