Over the last 7 years, our student-led programme BioCycle has been collecting food waste from student households and businesses across Southampton. We have been so privileged to support this project from its inception and development, but due to volunteer capacity, we have made the difficult decision to bring the project to a close.
BioCycle was originally started by Madlaina Michelotti during her time as the Sustainability Coordinator in 2016. She worked hard to set up the project, and it was run by Artur Fernandes in its first full year of running. They both contributed enormously to the development and implementation of the project as we know it today. Artur has provided his thoughts below:
‘At its core BioCycle was a community-based initiative driven by a dedicated group of passionate individuals who wanted to make a positive impact on society. Although it brings me great sadness to know that it will soon come to an end, I am immensely proud of everything that the initiative was able to achieve over the past 7 years. Ultimately, I hope that it encourages others to start similar projects and to be the change that they want to see in the world.’
Over the last 4 years, Jack Williams has been coordinating the project amazingly; the project persisted during lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, and we are grateful to him for keeping the project alive over the end of his Undergraduate degree until his PhD.
Over the course of the project, we have worked with over 60 volunteers, and several partners in the local area, including Aldermoor Farm and Portswood Allotments to compost the food waste collected. At the project’s height, the volunteers collected 7 tonnes of food waste per year. A volunteer in 2019-20 said ‘I really enjoy BioCycle because not only am I giving back to the community but I am also helping to reduce waste and carbon emissions. I also have met some really great people through BioCycle.’
We would like to thank all of the students who have taken part over the years, our partners that have composted the food waste, and SUSU for supporting us with funding for equipment over the years.
If you have any questions, please email catherine.taplin-thorpe@southamptonhub.org