Transforming Food Waste in Bristol: Inside Our New Composting Project

At Generation Soil, we’re thrilled to introduce our BRAND NEW food waste collection and composting service to the Bristol community! This initiative is a key step in our mission to create circular food systems that use urban food waste to regenerate urban soil health.

With this service, we aim to tackle two critical challenges: the vast amounts of food waste generated in urban areas and the need to restore the health of our soils. But what exactly is a circular food system, and how does our composting process work? Let’s dive in.

What is a circular food system?

What is living compost?

How do we do this?

How can I get involved?

What is a circular food system?

A circular food system reimagines the way we interact with food and waste. In our current linear system, we extract resources, produce food, consume it, and dispose of the waste—often in landfills or incinerators. Shockingly, over one-third of all food produced globally goes to waste. In the UK alone, this accounts for over 6 million tons of food waste annually, much of which ends up in landfills, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

A circular food system flips this wasteful model on its head. Instead of discarding food waste, we treat it as a valuable resource. At Generation Soil, we collect food waste, compost it, and transform it into nutrient-rich “living compost.” This compost is redistributed to our members or donated to local food-growing projects across Bristol.

This closed-loop system not only diverts food waste from landfills but also regenerates soil health, fosters biodiversity, and supports the production of fresh, nutritious, and sustainable food.

What is living compost?

You might wonder how living compost is different from the compost-like materials produced by large-scale municipal waste systems. The answer lies in the life within it.

Living compost is teeming with microorganisms, fungi, and beneficial bacteria that are essential for soil health. These microorganisms break down organic material into nutrients that plants can absorb. They also improve soil structure, enhance water retention, and foster resilient ecosystems.

By contrast, the compost-like substrate produced by municipal systems is often sterilised and processed to meet the demands of large-scale landscaping or industrial farming projects. While this is an important service, it doesn’t provide the same level of biodiversity or soil-enriching qualities that living compost offers.

At Generation Soil, our hyper-local approach focuses on producing small batches of high-quality, biologically active compost that directly supports urban food production. This compost is designed not just to enrich soil but also to contribute to a thriving, community-driven food system.

How do we do this?

Our process involves three carefully designed stages:

1. Collection and Sorting

   
   

   We collect food waste from our members. By working directly with households, businesses, and community organisations, we maintain a high standard of quality and consistency in the organic material we process.

   
   

2. Composting

   
   

   The collected waste is blended with wood shavings and bark from a local timber yard—a 1:1 ratio designed to balance carbon and nitrogen levels. This mix is carefully monitored as it undergoes decomposition, with oxygen and moisture levels maintained to support the growth of beneficial microbes.

   
   

3. Living Compost Production

   
   

   After several weeks, the result is nutrient-rich, biologically active compost that’s ready to be distributed. Members can choose to use this compost in their gardens, allotments, or planters, or donate it to local growing projects across Bristol.

   
   

This process not only turns waste into a resource but also keeps it local. By eliminating the need for long-distance transport and centralised processing, we reduce emissions and create a more sustainable food system.

How can I get involved?

Want to help transform Bristol’s food system? Becoming a Generation Soil member is a great way to start.

Here’s how you can participate:

• Join our Food Waste Collection Service

  
  

  Sign up to have your food waste collected and transformed into living compost. Not only will you reduce your household or business waste, but you’ll also contribute to a healthier local environment.

  
  
  
  

• Use or Donate Compost

  
  

  As a member, you’ll receive living compost to use in your own garden or growing space. Don’t need it? Donate it to support community gardens and urban farming projects across Bristol.

• Spread the Word

  
  

  Share our mission with your friends, family, and neighbours. The more people join our circular food system, the greater our impact on reducing waste and regenerating soil will be.

• Volunteer or Collaborate

  
  

  From composting workshops to food-growing events, there are plenty of opportunities to get hands-on and learn more about sustainable food systems.

  
  
  
  

At Generation Soil, we believe everyone has a role to play in creating a better future. Together, we can close the loop on food waste and build a resilient, community-focused food system.

A Shared Mission for a Soily Future

By choosing to participate in our food waste collection and composting service, you’re not just reducing waste—you’re contributing to the regeneration of Bristol’s soil and the cultivation of a sustainable, local food system.

Let’s make Bristol a model for how cities can transform their relationship with food, waste, and soil. Join us on this exciting journey and help create a greener, healthier, and more resilient future for all.

Stay soily, Alex 🤠