Master Composters

The initial training for volunteers includes a standard two-day foundation course, which is completed by all volunteers in the scheme.

To download a registration pack please click on one of the documents below:

For more information or for a hard copy registration pack please call 0116 305 5839.

Anyone can volunteer to become a Master Composter regardless of experience, the stipulation is that volunteers much be aged 18 over and the scheme excludes Leicester City residents.

It doesn’t matter if you have never composted before or if you are a composting expert, as free comprehensive training will be given. As a Master Composter you will promote home composting to your local community.

Master Composters are volunteers, who use their own skills and enthusiasm to help raise the awareness of the benefits of home composting, encourage more people to home compost and assist people with composting queries and problems.

Our existing Master Composters, who are asked to complete a minimum of 30 hours volunteering over a 12 month period, are now fully trained and available to help Leicestershire residents with home composting.

The training included a trip to Lount Composting Facility and a day at Garden Organic in Ryton.

Master Composters will receive free training, free resources, travel expenses etc, as well as ongoing support from a co-ordinator. All Master Composter volunteers will attend a free two-day training course before they start their volunteering which will include the basics of home composting, communication and presentation skills, as well as ways of getting the composting message across.

In return for this training and support Master Composter volunteers spend a minimum of 30 hours over 12 months spreading the composting message in their local community. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, use your talents and knowledge and learn new skills.

Master Composters are volunteers who in return for training and support, help raise awareness of the benefits of home composting, encourage more people to home compost, promote the sale of subsidised compost bins; help people who already home compost and promote the Rot a Lot Home Composting Club. The aim is to help the public successfully produce their own compost, which reduces the amount of organic waste going to landfill.

Master Composters are from every age group, and a wide variety of backgrounds. This contributes to the effectiveness of the scheme as Master Composters can reach parts of the community that other compost promoting activities cannot.

Master Composter is a “qualification”, which in order to attain volunteers need to complete a series of training sessions in home composting and related environmental issues.Once Master Composters have completed their qualification, we are able to call upon this pool of talent to support home composting schemes by using them to educate and advise other members of the community.

The role of Master Composters will be to spend a minimum of 30 hours over 12 months spreading the composting message in their local community.

This can include:

Volunteers are supported by a dedicated Project Co-ordinator. The co-ordinator organises further training and networking opportunities, provides advice and information to volunteers, provides display materials and co-ordinates volunteer attendance at larger events.

Volunteers are also entitled to membership of Garden Organic, which gives them access to information and expert advice on a wide range of technical composting and gardening queries.

For more detailed information on the role and responsibilities of the Master Composter please click on the document below:

We already have several volunteers from across the County who have been trained as Master Composters as part of the Leicestershire Waste Partnership’s Scheme to raise the profile of home composting in the local community.

The first training session has been successfully completed and below are some photographs from the two days:

The Master Composters enjoying a tour of Leicestershire County Council's composting facility at Lount.

At Garden Organic in Ryton with compost expert Pip Bradley.

Enjoying an information session at Garden Organic in Ryton- despite the cold!