Carymoor Environmental Centre
What a load of rubbish!
The Carymoor Centre is an environmental haven located at the
edge of a restored landfill site.
Next door, there is a working landfill.
Its unique location provides the ideal setting to contrast
environmental sustainability with the less sustainable activity of
landfill.
Education through demonstration
This is a great opportunity for school groups to see for
themselves the volume of household rubbish that currently goes to
landfill and how quickly we are running out of space.
The key messages of the Centre are:
- sustainability and environmental conservation
- encouraging children to reduce the amount of waste that goes to
landfill
- promoting the reuse of items (by visiting the shanty town made
from reclaimed rubbish)
- recycling where possible
A Tour of the centre
To really appreciate Carymoor, you will receive a full tour (2
hours) of the restored and working landfill. You will discover:
- how the green waste is composted and resold
- how food waste is processed and used as farm compost
- how methane produced during the decomposition of the land fill
is collected to generate electricity
- what happens to all the waste liquid that collects at the
bottom of a working landfill
- the wildlife conservation and habitat creation in the restored
landfill, there's even mini beast hunting and pond dipping for the
little ones.
Full day programmes are available with supporting workshops (for
example create electricity with solar panels and wind turbines).
Even lunch is an education with the opportunity for children to
consider their own food and packaging waste and discuss how they
could become more sustainable.
Sustainability in action
As you would expect the main centre building embodies
sustainability through its constructional use of locally sourced
timber - Douglas fir, green oak and red cedar.
It is built on stilts mitigating the excessive use of concrete
and helping to reduce its environmental impact. The building is
insulated with recycled paper and sheep's wool. The roof tiles and
some of the doors are re-used.
Two wind turbines and photovoltaic roof shingles contribute
electricity for the daily running of the centre. There is solar
water heating and a wood burner provides some of the space heating.
The centre also utilises rainwater harvesting and treats the sewage
on site.
What is great about the Carymoor Environmental Centre is the
chance for children to see for themselves the negative and positive
impacts that mankind can have on their environment. Wellies are a
must and don't forget a rain mac!
To find out more about Carymoor Environmental Centre, visit: www.carymoor.org.uk.
To discuss a visit to the centre, contact Graham Jennings on
01963 350143 Carymoor Environmental Centre, Dimmer Lane, Castle
Cary, Somerset, BA7 7NR.