A NEW community composter has been installed in Fordingbridge.

Fordingbridge Greener Living has opened the Ridan hot composter at the allotments in the town.

A spokesperson for the group said: “When we began our group one of our dreams was to have a community composter but we wondered how we would afford one as they are rather expensive. At the end of 2020 one of our group, Louise Tonkin applied for a grant from the Waste Prevention Community Grant Fund (supported by Hampshire County Council) and we were successful in being awarded just under £5000 to buy this amazing composting system.”

Fordingbridge Greener Living also worked with Fordingbridge Town councillor Anna Wilson, to find an appropriate site.

A working party of volunteers prepared the area in May.

The Ridan composter is designed to break down most food, more than can be put into a normal domestic compost heap, which is then turned into compost for the community.

The spokesperson added: “Our aims are to reduce the amount of food waste and to reduce carbon emissions by reducing the weight of refuse to be transported for disposal.

“We estimate that we can save up to 39.520kg of Co2 a year and we also get the benefit of creating locally produced compost. We also feel that it’s an opportunity to increase community cohesion.”

There is a team of “Ridan rangers” who are trained to use the composter and check it as well as place the waste into a maturation bin.

A compost club is open to all residents of Fordingbridge and surrounding areas who currently put their waste into the black bags. Training will be given to members. To apply

email fordingbridgegreenerliving@gmail.com, go to fordingbridgegreenerliving.org or the Facebook group.