Fight waste, join the Waste Busters

Published on 9 February 2012

Enthusiastic members of the community in Essex are being urged to become Waste Buster volunteers.

Waste Busters is a new Essex County Council-organised waste reduction community volunteering scheme with one simple aim - to reduce the amount of food we waste. Wasted food costs each UK household an estimated £9 a week and a third of what we throw out could have been home composted.

Potential Waste Busters are invited to come along to a training event at Epping Hall, St John's Road, Epping on Thursday 1 March from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Find out more and book your place, contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Louise Phillips:

• by email to louise.phillips@essex.gov.uk
• call 07717 867166
• or visit the Waste Busters website

No matter what age or background, any Essex resident can become a Waste Buster, advising members of their local community on how to reduce food waste, how to home compost and to promote the 'Love Food Hate Waste' campaign.

All a Waste Buster needs is an enthusiasm to improve the local community and a contribution of just 30 hours per year to the scheme, which could include the hosting of drop-in sessions and workshops to talking to community groups or writing press releases and articles to get those creative juices flowing!

Becoming a Waste Buster is a great opportunity to meet new people across Essex, learn valuable skills and make a positive contribution to the environment and the local community. Everyone who volunteers will receive full training, travel expenses and a free 12-month subscription to the Garden Organic charity on completion of ten hours of volunteering.

County Councillor Kevin Bentley, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Waste and Recycling said: “By volunteering at events, a Waste Buster can truly make a lasting impact on not only their community but Essex as a whole. Help make the county a greener place to live, meet new people and make a difference - sign up, join the team and start busting waste!”

Waste Busters will also be at the official opening of Epping Forest District Council's the Limes Centre and the launch of Limes Farm Festival of Healthy Living with a roadshow stall to promote the training. This takes place on Monday 20 February from 3pm to 6.45pm at The Limes Centre, Limes Avenue, Chigwell, Essex, IG7 5LP. Everyone is welcome. The event is free to attend and there is no need to book - drop in any time. For more information on this event, call 01992 564226.