As the summer growing season draws to a close and autumn takes its place, fields and farms begin their winter rest. But here at Generation Soil CIC, we're doing the opposite. While nature slows down, we’re ramping up our efforts to create a sustainable, regenerative future.
With a dedicated team of three, we've transformed the initiative once known as 50 Ways to Cook into a new Community Interest Company (CIC), aligning our mission with a community-focused approach to sustainability and soil regeneration. This change reflects not just growth but a redefinition of our purpose.
Why?
A Community Interest Company (CIC) operates as a limited company but focuses on benefiting the community rather than generating profits for shareholders. This shift was a natural progression for us. The name 50 Ways to Cook no longer captured the essence of our work, which now extends far beyond recipes and cooking.
Our focus has evolved to address critical issues like food waste, soil regeneration, and circular food systems. By becoming a CIC, we formalise our commitment to nurturing both people and the environment while contributing to Bristol’s community and beyond.
community interest statement
Our activities nurture the health and well-being of people and the natural environment across Bristol. This will be achieved through education and services across the food system.
We will still run our circular food education workshops, addressing meal times, food waste, composting, regenerating soil health, and growing fresh food. However, we will launch new projects soon, so keep your eyes peeled.
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Our Vision: Building a Circular Food System
Our mission is to nurture the health and well-being of people and the natural environment through education and services across the food system. We aim to foster a truly circular food economy, reducing waste and regenerating resources to benefit all.
We continue to run our popular circular food education workshops, tackling topics like:
Meal planning and food waste reduction.
Composting practices.
Soil health regeneration.
Growing fresh food sustainably.
However, our ambitions don’t stop there. New projects are on the horizon, so stay tuned for innovative ways we’ll expand our impact.
We exist to create a truly circular food system, contributing to the wider circular economy.
Regenerating the Environment, Starting with Soil
Over the years, we’ve explored every aspect of the food system, from cooking and reducing food waste to growing fresh produce. Now, our primary focus is on regenerating the environment through the foundation of life: soil.
Healthy, living soil is essential to combating climate change, growing nutritious food, and supporting biodiversity. Unfortunately, soil health is under threat, with intensive farming practices and waste mismanagement depleting its nutrients and vitality. That’s where our work comes in.
Food Waste Collection Project
Sustainability and recycling are no longer the gold standard. We must pursue circular and regenerative solutions to the climate crisis.
Recycling alone is no longer enough to address the climate crisis. Sustainability efforts must evolve into circular and regenerative solutions. Our Food Waste Collection Project is a significant step in this direction.
If you're based in Bristol, you can join our zero waste-to-landfill service. Here’s how it works:
We collect your household or business food waste.
The waste is transported to our hyper-local composting facility.
We transform it into nutrient-rich, microbial-packed compost to rejuvenate soils.
The Scale of the Problem
In the UK, approximately 10 million tonnes of food waste are thrown away annually after leaving farms. Shockingly, only 1.8 million tonnes of this waste is recycled.
The rest typically ends up in landfills, where it degrades and releases harmful greenhouse gases like methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). These emissions contribute an estimated 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere each year.
But the problem doesn’t end there. When food waste is landfilled, its nutrients and biological value are permanently lost. These valuable resources should instead be returned to the soil to support new crops and regenerate the land.
Our Three-Stage Composting Solution
At Generation Soil CIC, we’ve developed an innovative and cost-effective composting system that offers a regenerative alternative to traditional waste disposal:
Fermentation: We use beneficial microorganisms, such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB), to kickstart the decomposition process. This fermentation step stabilises the food waste and enhances its nutrient content.
Composting: The fermented waste is mixed with woodchips at our Bristol facility. This creates a balanced blend of "greens" (nitrogen-rich material) and "browns" (carbon-rich material) to support healthy composting.
Maturation and Redistribution: Once the compost matures, we deliver it back to participants or distribute it to local food-growing sites. This ensures the organic matter, nutrients, and trace elements are used to regenerate our natural environment.
Benefits of Composting with Generation Soil
The advantages of our composting process extend far beyond waste reduction:
Increased Soil Organic Matter: Healthier soils hold more nutrients, supporting plant growth and biodiversity.
Improved Soil Structure: Compost enhances soil aeration and water retention.
Reduced Fossil Fuel Dependence: Our approach minimises the need for inorganic fertilisers, which rely on fossil fuel-derived inputs.
Lower Carbon Footprint: Diverting food waste from landfills reduces methane emissions and contributes to carbon sequestration in soil.
Nutrient Restoration: Compost returns essential nutrients like potassium (K), phosphorus (P), and nitrogen (N) to the land.
Join the Regenerative Movement
Generation Soil CIC offers a tangible way for households and businesses in Bristol to contribute to a sustainable and regenerative future. By participating in our Food Waste Collection Project, you’re not just reducing waste—you’re actively helping to restore the environment and build a circular food system.
Whether you’re a business owner aiming to improve your sustainability practices or a resident looking to make a difference, this is an opportunity to be part of the solution. Together, we can create healthier soils, grow more nutritious food, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The Road Ahead
As we move forward, we remain committed to expanding our impact and inspiring others to embrace regenerative practices. From composting food waste to educating the community, every step we take is rooted in the belief that healthy soils lead to a healthier planet—and healthier lives.
So, as the seasons change, why not make a change too? Join us at Generation Soil CIC and help shape a regenerative future for Bristol and beyond.
Let’s work together to restore balance, nurture the earth, and build a truly circular food system. The soil—and the future—starts with us.
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