Otter Rotters Home Page
... was coming up against a few bureaucratic problems which were making life more difficult for them:
Futures Forum: Otter Rotters: Stop community composting being crippled by disproportionate government agency fees
Futures Forum: Otter Rotters: Please support them by signing their online petition. AND: Do you have any experience in planning applications?
But there's been some good news of late:
Otter Rotters celebrate composting ‘lifelife’
17:30 12 January 2015
The Otter Rotters recycling group are looking forward to move in to their new composting site at the former Woods Farm recycling centre. Ref mhh 4865-02-15AW. Picture: Alex Walton
Group secures planning permission for new composting site
Volunteers for a community enterprise are celebrating after winning a five-year battle to secure planning permission for a composting site at Bowd.
It has been a hard-fought battle for the Otter Rotters, who have had to overcome a number of hurdles – the biggest of which were ‘exorbitant’ fees brought in by the Government in 2011. Several other community composting groups were forced to close down, but director and volunteer Mandy Jennings said the Otter Rotters will continue to fight on.
And the team is now celebrating after attaining planning permission on the old Woods Farm recycling site for a composting site.
“This will partly re-instate our capacity and enable schools and other organisations to benefit from the compost produced,” Mandy said. “This is a lifeline for Otter Rotters, and it will have a number of benefits for the community and environment.”
The group established 15 years ago as a not-for-profit enterprise that provides support for learning disabled individuals and disadvantaged local people – offering them a gateway back into the workplace.
The new site will be a facility for composting the green waste collected from Sidmouth’s kerbside collections.
Mandy has also expressed her gratitude to district councillor Roger Giles for his help in identifying and securing the site, saying: “[He] has been a long-standing supporter of local service provision by Otter Rotters for many years.”
Otter Rotters provides green waste curbside collections across East Devon.
Otter Rotters celebrate composting ‘lifelife’ - News - Midweek Herald
Otter Rotters scoop awards
11:32 24 February 2015
Otter Rotter recycling collection operative, Rufus Duffin (centre) who won a recycling award, with his colleagues Jay Mallon, Paul Bastyan, Dean Mallon and Paul Darlow. Ref mhh 8110-08-15AW. Picture: Alex Walton
Members of Otter Rotters’ eco-team have been hailed ‘recycling heroes’ after receiving recognition for working against the odds to protect Devon’s environment.
The not-for-profit enterprise has managed to maintain its sustainable waste disposal service, for Sidmouth, Ottery St Mary and surrounding areas, after its future was threatened by a change in legislation.
Rufus Duffin, a driver and loader for the Otter Rotters, was named the winner in the ‘collection crew’ category in Recycle Devon’s 2015 Awards, while Mandy Jennings and Diana Hekt were both commended for their hard work and dedication to sustainability.
Mandy, who co-ordinates the group’s work in waste disposal and community projects, was full of praise for her whole team. “Rufus is a superstar,” said Mandy. “He gives a really warm welcome to any volunteer, especially those who may be feeling a bit nervous.”
Rufus said he was thrilled to be nominated and never expected to win. “I’d like to extend my thanks and admiration to all who were present. I’m hoping 2015 will be a productive and inspiring year for everyone.”
Otter Rotters has been given permission to operate at Woods Farm, on Sidmouth’s outskirts, enabling the team to continue community composting - and stopping green waste being transported across the county.
Otter Rotters scoop awards - News - Sidmouth Herald.
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