KROWN JEWELS

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE
KENT REDUCTION OF WASTE NETWORK

Issue 2 - March 1998

Editorial
Welcome to the spring issue of the KROWN newsletter, keeping you up to date with efforts to achieve environmentally sustainable, community-based solutions to waste in Kent.

Since the first issue, the executive committee have been busy working to ensure KCC begin to reflect the views of the community sector in their waste strategy. Whether this has had any effect may become evident when the Waste Advisory Group of Members publish their next report. KROWN hope to have a copy of this report in time for our next meeting, so come along for a discussion on its content (details overleaf).

KROWN aims to be the truly democratic and inclusive organisation addressing waste issues in Kent. Our growing success in achieving this is reflected in the diversity of some of our new members since the last issue; Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, Maidstone United Nations Association, Medway Friends of the Earth, Bloors Lane Allotment Holders, Luddesdown Organic Farms. Welcome to all our new members and if you haven't yet renewed your membership for Nov '97-Oct '98 please do so now.

The following articles have been provided by KROWN members. Please send news from your area to the Editor for the next issue (June 1998).

STOP PRESS: The Government Office of the South East (GOSE) has just announced (27.2.98) that it is releasing the Kent Waste Local Plan for adoption by KCC. However, John Prescott has announced that the Kingsnorth Incinerator planning application is to be called in, and a public local enquiry will be arranged.

Kitchen Waste Composting in Wye
Since formation in 1989, WyeCycle have established a wide range of community-based waste reduction initiatives in the village of Wye. Our most recent work has involved developing a novel method of composting kitchen organic material, using low-cost equipment, which any community could replicate.

The one tonne of kitchen material collected every Monday by WyeCycle is placed on a bed of garden material in one of two second-hand shipping containers. This is repeated every week, and a Bobcat is hired once a month to move the material from one container to the other. The rapid breakdown achieved means the material can remain in the containers for four to six months, by which time it can be removed and matured in the open.

Any community group wishing to learn more is welcome to lend a hand on any Monday (bring your own gloves!). Richard Boden, WyeCycle, 01233 813298.

Hernhill Community Composting
We are now collecting kitchen and garden waste from approximately 50 houses every Monday. This is taken to a local farm to be composted. We are also offering a delivery service of fresh fruit and vegetables from the farm and we are to shortly start a washing up liquid refill scheme from the farm shop.

We have also been involved in a joint initiative with KCC and Swale's LA21 waste working group to shred the Faversham Lights Christmas trees.

We believe there is a great opportunity for community based composting and shredding initiatives, rather than just having to rely on the C.A. Site approach. Felix Krish 01227 750408

Allington Incinerator #1
With the announcement of yet another proposal for a waste incinerator in Kent, yet another action group has been formed to fight it.

Kent Enviropower in collaboration with Kent County Council are proposing to build a 400,000+ tonnes per annum domestic and commercial waste incinerator in Allington Quarry, Maidstone. Over 400 people attended the inaugural meeting of "Against Incineration in Maidstone - Kent Local Environmental Action Now" or AIM-KLEAN.

KROWN was represented by David Plumstead and Ian Hargraves who gave a well received computer presentation on the alternatives to incineration. This was followed by David's presentation on the benefits of community-based recycling (see below).

The experience of Allington has shown us that, waste local plan or not, everyone in Kent is under threat from incineration, wherever they may be. The residents of Allington were not prepared for their fight with Kent Enviropower because the Allington site was not identified for incineration in the waste local plan. However, since the inaugural meeting AIM-KLEAN has formed itself into a considerable fighting force of which I am sure we will all be hearing a lot more.
Ian Hargraves. - HIAG Chairman 01634 717287

Allington Incinerator #2
Following the threatened construction by Kent Enviropower, of a waste incineration plant adjacent to the M20 at Allington, East of Maidstone, the residents of the area have formed an action group to oppose the plan.

As evidence that a practical, sustainable alternative for dealing with the area's domestic waste can be provided, a sister group, called ALLwaste, is being formed by local residents to run a community kerbside collection and recycling project. A suitable site and the support of Maidstone Borough Council are being sought.

ALLwaste is being actively supported by members of KROWN and the Kent Environment and Community Network. If anyone wishes to help with this project, please contact David Plumstead of KROWN and KECN, or Jane Frankland of ALLwaste on 01622 756081. David Plumstead 01303 265737

Flaxland Farm Community Supported Agriculture
We are just at the end of our second season of chemical free vegetables, and looking forward to another busy year. Although not soil association certified, our box scheme operates along organic principles without the use of chemical fertilisers or pesticides, thus cutting down on pollution, environmental damage and energy waste in their production. The vegetables are picked, packed into returnable wooden boxes and delivered to our drop-off point at Canterbury Wholefoods on the same day. The food miles are minimal and the packaging virtually non-existent. Added to this, the field is flourishing under a healthy regime of manure and we've seen a positive increase in harvest.
David Barker 01227 709624

All correspondence to: The Editor, KROWN, 18 Scotton Street, Wye, Ashford, Kent TN25 5BZ
Tel: 01233-813298 Next issue: June 1998. Newsletter copy deadline 15 May.
Next meeting: 17 March 1998, 7 pm. Friends Meeting House, 170 Union Street, Maidstone. (Meetings for 1998 are bi-monthly, on the third Tuesday of the month).

Thanks to Kit Strange of the World Resource Foundation for his inspired suggestion of 'KROWN JEWELS' as a name for this newsletter. Thanks also for allowing the Executive to drink his prize of a bottle of organic wine!