Compost recycling levels are once again set to rise in Hampshire with the opening of a new, wholesale composting centre at Chilbolton Down, off the A30 between Stockbridge and Winchester.

On site at Chilbolton Down for the official launch of the composting centre are (left to right) John Collis, Project Director for Hampshire Waste Services; Hampshire County Councillor Mike Woodall; and Test Valley Councillor Tony Hope.

A flagship site built by Hampshire Waste Services, it incorporates the latest design and engineering features enabling up to 30,000 tonnes of green waste to be processed each year and turned into about 18,000 tonnes of soil conditioner.

Chilbolton is a central point to receive all the green garden waste such as cuttings, trimmings and mowings that are placed by householders in the green bins at the Household Waste Recycling Centres throughout the south east of the county. These are then aerobically composted to produce the soil conditioner, high in nutrients, known as Pro-Grow.

Certified 'organic' by the Soil Association and GM free, it is regularly tested under laboratory conditions to maintain quality levels. The addition of a greenhouse at Chilbolton also enables Hampshire Waste Composting Manager, Peter Mills, to conduct on site growing trials. Following strict industry protocols, he cultivates tomatoes grown from seedlings and then plants them out in Pro-Grow, as a further support to quality control.

Hampshire Waste Services aim to recycle a total of some 60,000 tonnes of green waste over the year - a 50% increase on last year. It has already expanded its site at Little Bushywarren, Basingstoke, which takes the green waste from North Hampshire, and a further new site is soon to open at Down End, Fareham to handle green waste for the South East.

Pro-Grow is available to buy - loose at £4.70 per cubic metre or in 30 litre bags at £1.95 from recycling centres and selected garden centres.

13 April 2000

For further information please contact Peter Mills at Hampshire Waste Services on 01962 764000.

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