3 Funded Projects for 2010
Here is a brief outline of the 3 Funded Projects for 2010
Feasibility Studies for an Anaerobic Digestor CHP Plant coupled to a Commercial Heated Horticulture Operation for Bantry.
Feasibility Study into the viability of an Anaerobic Digester producing Biogas giving Combined Heat & Power through the digestion of domestic & commercial kitchen organic waste.
Sustain would like to see the plant coupled with a Heated Horticulture Operation to take some of the heat & power from the plant. Such an operation could grow both indoor & outdoor fruit and vegetables all year round that currently we have to import. This operation would provide significant, much needed employment in the area. With possibilities of training, education and even tourism. The Anaerobic Digestion process also produces a digestate liquid that is very high in Nitrogen along with Co2 both of which have proved highly beneficial in promoting plant growth. This Nitrogen rich digestate is also of benefit to the farming community as it can be spread on land and is not effected ny the Nitrates Directive. We believe both operations should be owned by the local community probably following a co-operative business model.
The AD CHP Biodigestor coupled with the Horticulture Operation would have several benefits:-
• Helping meet our landfill targets
• Creating Renewable Heat & Power
• Reduction of food miles
• Lower Carbon Emissions
• Creating Employment
• Strengthening Local Economies
• Building Local Community Resilience
• Potential for Fuschia Branded Exotic Fruits
The project has to date received considerable support both at Town & County Council level.
Consultants have now been commissioned for the 2 studies which will involve consultation with local stake
holders & the public, the studies will be completed by the end of April 2010.
The Feasibility studies will be mainly funded by the West Cork Development Partnership under the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.
A Community Orchard & Nut Grove for Skibbereen
Sustain West Cork will partner Skibbereen Town Council who will provide the land within the Town boundaries. The project will give the chance to bring many different Community groups together for the planting such as Tidy Towns, Schools, Active Retirement, Growing Awareness (the Local Food Group) & gardening club etc. Having such a broad range of people from the different groups come together for an actions such as this is fantastic for Growing Communities as much as Growing Fruit. These partnerships can be continued & developed during the seasons for pruning & maintenance & eventually harvesting. We would also like to plant at least one or 2 fruit or nut trees in the grounds of every School in the Town which would give the chance for engagement with pupils of all ages.
The planting of 150 fruit & nut trees the majority being on one site identified within the Town boundaries as an Orchard. The remainder to be planted in School Grounds.
As described above it gives the chance for networking of a diverse range of Community Groups and the chance to engage with pupils of all ages in awareness of the importance of Local Food Production . We have to totally re-think our food supply which is at present totally dependent on huge amounts of Fossil Fuel Inputs. It is said that in that with our current methods of Industrial Agriculture it takes on average 10 Calories of Fossil Fuel Energy to produce 1 Calorie of Food Energy this is clearly not Sustainable! Visually an orchard of blossoms that will appear throughout Spring & summer will be a beautiful asset to the Town. Plus the chance for people to pick fruit and nuts as the walk through going about their daily business in the years to come.
Purpose of the Project
• To promote local food production
• To reduce Carbon Emissions through reduction of imported fruit & nuts
• To promote awareness of Sustainability
• To promote the fact it is essential we switch from being a Nation of Consumers to a Nation of Consumer / Producers in coming years.
• To help build a more Sustainable Community
• To help build Community Resilience
The project has secured funding from Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership 2009 through Cork County Council, further funding will now be sought in order to maximise the projects potential.
Textiles 2010
With the Landfill directive coming into place shortly Cork County Council recognise there is a strong need to reduce the amount of Landfill waste. The County Council have asked Sustain West Cork to look at 2 areas Textiles which makes up 7-8% and Organic waste which constitutes 38% of Landfill Waste. A key component of the campaign will focus on Re-Use , we will work with Schools to introduce swapping parties for School Uniforms & Shoes along with other groups such as the ICA & Macra Na Feirme to promote clothes & shoes swaps. The Pilot Project will run in areas of Cork County Councils West Cork Division.
A map will be produced of the County Councils Textile Recycling points this map will be used as part of an extensive media campaign both in print & on-line and in the form of Posters at Bring Centers and on the side of Council Refuse Collection Trucks. The project we will be looking at possible ways to insentivise the public to use these facilities. One possible method could be a money off voucher or Smart Card Credit System, which would be credited at the Textile Recycling point and redeemable against Pay by Weight Schemes. The project will also seek to raise awareness of target groups on the issue of the amount of Oil & other fossil fuels used in the production & distribution of Textile goods and the consequences for Climate Change.
The campaign would run for 6 months intensively with a further 3 months of additional monitoring and report preparation on it‘s effectiveness. If successful it could of course be rolled out throughout County Cork and beyond.
Purpose of the Project
• Reduction of Waste
• Reduction of Carbon Emissions
• Through reducing landfill gas
• Through reducing use of fossil fuels in production & distribution of new goods
• Through reduction of miles driven to source new items
• Through the reduction of fossil fuel use in the collection & processing of waste for landfill.
Sustain West Cork Believe it is crucial we reduce the amount of fossil fuels in our effort to combat Climate Change. This project would give us the chance to work on awareness raising & education from Schools level to Active Retirement Groups on the amount of Oil & other fossil fuels used in the production & distribution of Textile goods and the consequences for Climate Change. This in turn gives us the chance to ‘start the conversation‘ and hopefully engage them in the process of thinking about how their Community can become more Sustainable, Resilient and able to adapt to a life not dependent on Oil & fossil fuel consumption. As we are represented on the Transition Ireland & Northern Ireland Committee it is one of our objectives to foster & help the set up of Transition Initiatives in West Cork.
The project has secured funding from Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership 2009 through Cork County Council, further funding will now be sought in order to maximise the projects potential.
For further information contact Matt Mills matt@sustainwestcork.com