When it comes to sustainability, Frome is leading the charge. Bustling with businesses that promote the idea of ‘the circular economy’ – a system where waste is repurposed, reused, and reprocessed to provide new materials, we wanted to join in here at Forward Space. Making a step in the right direction at one of our Frome buildings ,’The Old Church School‘, we aim to contribute positively (and sustainably!) to our little town.
What is ‘Loop’, and what do they do?
Loop offers a weekly – or bi-weekly – food waste collection service for businesses in Frome. However, they aren’t your typical disposal service. Loop is a community-driven business which hopes to build a stronger, more resiliant town by engaging locals in environmental processes, providing future generations with a greener future. By repurposing food waste into nutrient-packed compost, they’re contributing towards the town’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2030.
The journey began in 2021 when a group of local residents, including the project’s lead initiator Peter MacFadyen, participated in the Edventure Startup Course. Deeply concerned about the environmental impact of food waste and the lack of sustainable waste solutions in the community, they decided to take action.
Food is collected and taken to a sustainable decomposition hub at Victoria Park by Cycles Maximus electric trikes before being broken down by a nifty system called the Ridan Composter, creating ‘living compost’. The enterprise has really gone full throttle in their sustainable practices, ensuring that leftovers are transformed. Compost that enriches the soil and helps plants to flourish is available via Loop’s Online Store, giving back to Frome’s community and helping it grow. Think allotments, gardens, and green spaces.
Why did we join Loop?
We’re excited to be part of this initiative. As a coworking space, we’ve always prioritised collaborative and innovative practices. With several of our resident businesses holding B-Corp certification, joining Loop felt like a logical step in our journey to reduce waste and contribute to Frome’s impressive sustainability efforts. By joining Loop, we wanted to do our bit in contributing towards Frome’s circular economy.
Our Founder and CEO, Gavin Eddy, says: “It’s important to us to support local closed loop recycling initiatives like Loop as a way of making our workspaces more sustainable. Frome as a town tends to be very forward thinking, and so The Old Church School is a great place for us to trial new initiatives. Wherever possible, we then look to roll them out to our other workspaces“.
A Community-Driven Approach
On a mission to spread the word about sustainability, Loop run regular workshops, talks and events which educate and inspire the local community. The enterprise is a key figure within the local ‘Keep it Frome’ campaign, which celebrates all of the amazing ways that the town is embracing a sustainable economy. From refill shops to community gardens, Frome is full of people who are fixing and sharing. Loop is just one of many local organisations making a great difference to the future of Frome by creating a system that benefits everyone.
So, next time you’re throwing out food scraps in Frome, there’s a good chance they’ll come full circle – all thanks to Loop.
If you’re a business looking for food waste collection, or a green thumb needing compost, take a look at Loop’s website and learn more about what they can offer.
