Loop:Frome – Turning Food Waste into a Regenerative Resource

Loop: Frome began with a simple but powerful idea: to tackle the growing problem of food waste in Frome and turn it into a regenerative resource for the town. In doing so, the initiative aimed to kick-start a new model for a circular economy. The journey began in 2021 when a group of local residents, including the project’s lead initiator Peter MacFadyen, participated in the Edventure startup course. Deeply concerned about the environmental impact of food waste and the lack of sustainable waste solutions in the community, they decided to take action.

What emerged from their efforts was Loop: Frome, a community-led project that not only aimed to reduce food waste but also transform it into something truly valuable—a product known as Living Compost. This nutrient-rich compost would be used by local growers, gardeners, and community projects to improve soil health and foster biodiversity. By enriching the soil, it could radically support plant growth, and help regenerate local ecosystems, enhancing the health of Frome's land for generations to come.

The initiative began with a simple food-waste collection service for local businesses. Rather than food scraps ending up in landfill, where they would decompose anaerobically (without oxygen) and release harmful methane gas—a potent greenhouse gas—Loop: Frome used its electric trike to collect the waste and compost it in a controlled, aerobic environment. Composting in this way ensures that the food waste breaks down into humus-rich organic matter packed with billions of beneficial bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms per gram. 

As the first batches of compost began to mature, the team at Loop: Frome held their first community compost sales. These events not only provided residents with high-quality compost but also became an opportunity to run workshops that educated the public about the environmental benefits of composting and the science behind it. Composting, after all, is not just about waste disposal—it’s about creating a closed-loop system where organic matter is broken down into rich humus, which restores essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to the soil. This process also enhances soil structure, improves water retention, and fosters a healthy microbial ecosystem that supports plant life.

In response to growing demand, Loop: Frome expanded to offer continuous sales via an online store, with local deliveries available to Frome residents. The project grew not just as a service, but as a platform for community involvement, with people increasingly engaged in the composting process.

A defining feature of Loop: Frome is its community-driven model. It’s not just about composting; it’s about building a stronger, more resilient town by engaging local people in the process. This approach has led to the creation of Compost Creation Stations—mini composting hubs scattered across Frome. These hubs are designed to help local organizations, schools, and community groups manage their own food waste and compost it onsite. At the same time, they provide opportunities for people to learn how to grow their own food, contributing to local food sovereignty and sustainability.

The inspiration behind these composting hubs is rooted in the principles of regenerative agriculture. Regenerative systems aim to restore and enhance the health of the soil, rather than depleting it, through practices like composting, crop rotation, and the use of organic inputs. By creating these hubs, Loop: Frome is not just diverting waste from landfill but is also supporting the regeneration of local soil and ecosystems, helping Frome build a more thrivable and self-sufficient future.

Since its inception, Loop: Frome has grown steadily, gaining the support of local residents, businesses, and the town council. As more people engage with the project, it continues to evolve, with the potential for significant expansion. While still in its early stages, the initiative has already proven that when a community works together, it can make a tangible difference—not only in reducing waste but in creating a more sustainable, regenerative, and connected town.

Today, Loop: Frome stands as a testament to the power of community action. What started as a small project to address food waste has blossomed into a broader movement, one that has the potential to shift the way we manage waste, regenerate our soils, and build a circular economy. Although still in its infancy in terms of growth, Loop: Frome’s success has already sparked interest in replicating the model in other towns, demonstrating that local, distributed solutions to waste management can lead to large-scale, positive change.  

For more information about compost sales, visit our online store at www.loopfrome.org/store. If you’re interested in arranging food waste collections, head over to www.loopfrome.org/food-waste-collection.

And if you'd like to get involved or learn more about our community initiatives, feel free to drop us an email at info@loopfrome.org. We’d love to hear from you!