Tea bag recycling scheme launched in Brighton city centre

Tea bags, vegetable peel and coffee grinds will be recycled in a new scheme in Brighton city centre.

In a trial which could be replicated across the city if successful, residents in North Laine have been asked to take any compostable waste items to community composters at St Peter’s Church in York Place and Brighthelm Church and Community Centre in North Road.

Thirty volunteer households will take part in the three-month trial scheme set up by the community and backed by Brighton and Hove City Council and the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership.

The council said the aim was to make it easy for people to compost even when they do not have room for their own compost bin.

Councillor Pete West, the council’s cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: “This is a brilliant community initiative.

“The idea for communal composting in the North Laine came from residents and we have been delighted to help them set it up.

“It is all about making waste a resource and being more sustainable.”

It is estimated that up to a third of household waste can be composted, reducing the amount sent to landfill.

The two churches have also backed the trial and will compost uncooked vegetable waste from their kitchens.

The composters have been made by Brighton and Hove Wood Recycling Project.