tion (Environmental focus)
Green Community Action Bio Digestion
Since 2012, LEAP Micro AD (which refers to the Local Energy ADventure Partnership) has been building a circular food-energy-waste model in the heart of London. We specialise in micro-scale anaerobic digestion - a renewable technology that transforms food waste into biogas and a soil conditioner/fertiliser. Our mission is to extract maximum value from organic wastes in ways that benefit the host sites, local communities and the environment. Our research has led us to establish three pilot plants each demonstrating the model in unique settings including a community garden and centre (Calthorpe Community Garden near Kings Cross), next to a social housing estate (R-Urban Poplar – E. London) and a horticultural training charity (Sunnyside Rural Trust – Hemel Hempstead). We have focused on recovering nutrients and energy from food waste to grow more food for the city, generating training and employment opportunities, and engaging people around recycling and the circular economy. We are looking to translate the learning gathered over the last 7 years into the next generation of digesters, which we hope will help cities and rural areas manage their waste more sustainably and become more self-sufficient in the process. The company evolved out of a cross-sector partnership involving community, private and academic partners. We have a long-standing relationship with UCL, having done a number of collaborative projects with them over the years, developed working relationships with Brunel and Westminster Universities and are now involved in funding bids with the University of West London and Sheffield.
24 Collaborate: a community led initiative
01 1st pilot plant at Camley Street Natural Park – now relocated at Sunnyside Rural Trust 02 Volunteers working in the Calthorpe community food growing garden
