Eco helps scouts show off green credentials at centenary camp  (posted 13/08/2007)

Thousands of scouts showed off their green credentials by turning their centenary celebration camp in Dorset into one big recycling facility.

More than 2,000 scouts aged from eight to 18 are attended the event, called Goose 2007, at Budden’s Camp near Wareham from July 29 to August 4.

Held every three years, this year’s camp coincided with the international celebrations marking the 100th birthday of the scouting movement.

As part of its community commitment, recycling and waste management specialist SITA UK provided organisers with 19 bins for cans, plastics, glass, paper and cardboard. The firm got involved after being contacted by Councillor Paul Johns, Waste Adviser for Purbeck District Council.

The company also arranged for food waste to be collected and taken to Eco Composting in Parley, Dorset, where, after extensive treatment, it will be used as compost for growing turf.

Mike Parkes, one of the organisers of Goose 2007 with responsibility for site services, said a dedicated team has been tasked with ensuring as many items as possible were recycled.

He added: “The Scout Association is committed to recycling and looking after the environment.

“We’re delighted that, thanks to SITA UK, we are able to practice what we preach at one of the biggest scouting events to be held in Dorset.”

Mike Cox, SITA UK’s Dorset and Hampshire Area Manager, commented: “We were pleased to help the scouts recycle as much as possible at this year’s centenary camp. We’re hoping that as much as 80 per cent of what would have been thrown away will be recycled, showing just what can be achieved.”

* Scouts at Goose 2007 are pictured getting in the recycling habit watched by (left to right) Cllr Paul Johns; Paul Cucka, Business Manager, SITA UK; Mike Parkes of Dorset Scouts, and Peter Hardy, Major Projects Manager, Eco Composting.

ENDS

Editor’s Note: Founded in 1994, Eco Composting is one of the UK’s leading organics recycling firms, annually processing 120,000 tonnes of material on its 14-acre site at Parley, Dorset. End products include turf, enriched topsoil, compost and woodchip. Eco employs 29 staff and recorded a £3.5m turnover in the year to December 31, 2006.

For more information please contact Andy Hill, Sales and Marketing Director, Eco Composting, on 01202 593601 or Andrew Diprose, PR Account Director, Deep South Media on 01202 534487.