Origins

Back in 2004, the Vale of Glamorgan asked founder’s farm to tender for the disposal of wood chip from their parks and gardens and he was were surprised to learn that he would get a ‘gate fee’ for this service, a concept he had not come across before! He won the tender and began a long process of development whereby in 2005, Cowbridge Compost was receiving Civic Amenity Site green waste. In 2006 pilot household garden waste collections, 2007 from all Vale households, in 2009 pilot household kitchen waste, in 2010 from throughout the Vale plus much of Swansea. The business is are now taking up to 30,000 tons of biodegradable waste each year and have exciting plans for the future.

Success Factor

The firm’s strong focus on health and safety, employee training and general working practices have ensured that it has grown year on year.

The Future

The business doubled its turnover each year from 2005 but is now constrained by capacity realities. It is tendering for significant new long-term contracts and is in discussions with an energy company to build a joint venture slurry and food waste fed anaerobic digester.