NWP supports maintenance of community allotments in Lurgan

Leading organics recycling firm Natural World Products (NWP) has supported the maintenance of community allotments in Lurgan.

The company converts household food and garden waste into high-quality organic compost. It has donated its New Leaf Compost product to assist with the upkeep of 40 raised bed plots, a polytunnel, an orchard and fruit hedges at an allotment at St Francis' Primary School in Lurgan.

Colm Warren, Chief Executive, NWP, commented:

“We love to see communities working together like this and are pleased to be able to play our part and support the maintenance of these plots.

“We take much pride in supporting various community initiatives and seeing first-hand the positive impact it can have on both physical and mental health.

“With this scheme benefitting children in particular, it is heartening that they can experience and learn the benefits of horticulture and good recycling from a young age.

“What’s more is the compost the community is using has been made from the discarded food and garden waste within this very area. It’s the definition of a circular economy and perfectly illustrates how we can ‘grow, eat, compost, repeat.”

SDLP Lurgan Councillor Ciaran Toman said:

“Through the provision of compost, it helps improve green spaces and promote the development of the natural environment as a means of improving mental well-being.

“With this donation, people can see the tangible benefits of effective household recycling flowing back into our community to further encourage the sorts of behavioural changes that can lead to even more material being reused or recycled in the future, as we collectively strive to combat the current climate emergency.”

Currently the primary school classes use 20 of the community plots for growing with the other 20 being utilised by the local community.

Mr Toman added:

“The eco-work in St Francis’ Primary School have been going from strength to strength each year with more people coming forward to rent an allotment bed and helping to maintain the school woodland which they have been developing for eight years.

“I personally want to thank NWP for their kind donation, and I am delighted to be involved in this process. This will go a long way to getting all the community involved, the school children and volunteers in a space for everyone to cherish and enjoy.”

NWP is headquartered in Dunmurry with additional recycling facilities in Antrim, Keady, Co Armagh, and Drumanakelly, Co Down.

The firm processes 200 thousand tonnes of food and garden waste annually, delivering over half of all recycling across Northern Ireland.