Carlow County Council Launches County-Wide Master Composting Initiative to Tackle Food Waste
As National Food Waste Recycling Week closes, Carlow County Council is proud to announce an exciting new initiative aimed at empowering local communities to take action against food waste. Thanks to funding from the Waste Enforcement Lead Authorities under the Anti-Dumping Initiative, we are delighted to bring a two-part Master Composting Program
me to Tidy Towns groups, Allotments, Residents Associations, and Community Gardens across County Carlow.
This initiative will be led by none other than Craig Benton, widely known as Dr. Compost, founder of the first Master Composter programme in Seattle and co-founder of the EPA’s Stop Food Waste Programme in Ireland. With over 600 volunteers trained across the country, Craig brings a wealth of experience and passion to this vital cause.
Programme Details
The programme consists of two key phases:
1. Master Composting Training Sessions
Four in-person evening sessions will be held at the Town Hall, Carlow Town, every Tuesday from 1st July to 22nd July, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM.
A hands-on practical session will follow on Saturday, 19th July, from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, where participants will help create a composting area nearby.
We are inviting 2 to 4 volunteers from each Tidy Town, Resident Association, Community Garden, and Allotment group to participate. While full attendance is encouraged, we understand summer is a busy time—group-based participation allows for flexibility if some sessions are missed.
2. Creation of Master Composting Sites
Following the training, up to 10 groups will be selected to establish their own composting sites throughout the county on Saturdays in August. These sites will be equipped with free signage, tools, and composting systems to support ongoing community efforts.
Please note: These are not public drop-off points for green waste, but managed composting areas for group use—turning garden and food waste into valuable compost, supporting Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Additional Support
All participating groups will receive a voucher for free bags of compost to support their community endeavours.
Call to Action
Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
To register, please submit the names and contact details of your group’s participants by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, 17th June to dsewell@carlowcoco.ie or call 059 9136334.
“Composting is one of the most powerful tools we have to reduce food waste and build healthy soil. This programme is about giving communities the knowledge and tools to take control of their organic waste and turn it into something valuable. I’m thrilled to be working with Carlow County Council to help make this happen.”
— Craig Benton, Composting Ireland (Dr. Compost)
“This initiative is a fantastic opportunity for communities to take practical steps towards sustainability. By turning food and garden waste into compost, we’re not only reducing landfill but also enriching our local environments. We’re thrilled to support our community groups in this journey.”
— Environmental Awareness Officer, Carlow County Council
Let’s work together to build a greener, more sustainable Carlow, one compost pile at a time.