Bondholder votes help towards environmental prize win

Nature-based regeneration organisation Down to Earth Derby has been awarded £20,000 towards an innovative composting project following a public vote.

In April, the scheme, called Down to Earth(worm) was among a number of projects shortlisted for a Gold Award in a competition run by Severn Trent Water.

Down to Earth(worm) Derby would see food waste from across the city turned into compost, which would be used to grow fruit and vegetables at community gardens in the city centre.

According to Down to Earth, the project would reduce Derby’s greenhouse gas emissions, divert local food waste from landfill and create healthy nutritious compost to share with the community.

The organisation called on Marketing Derby Bondholders to vote for the scheme – and now it has been announced that the project has come out on top.

Bethan Mcilroy, who led Down to Earth Derby’s bid for Severn Trent’s funding, said: “We are so proud to have been selected for the Severn Trent award.

“The votes from our followers and the people of Derby show how much support there is for new ideas, improving access to green spaces and changing the future of the city.”

Down to Earth’s mission is to regenerate urban areas through natural means.
Recently, it revealed its plans for Derby in a spectacular showcase event held at Bustler Market, in conjunction with the Eden Project.

Bethan said: “We’ve really used our collective knowledge and teamwork to bid for the Severn Trent award.

“This is the first of many projects that the Down to Earth Derby team will create to connect people to nature and regenerate our urban areas with sustainable green spaces. Thanks to everyone for supporting us!”