World Soil Day, celebrated on December 5th, raises awareness about the importance of healthy soil and sustainable soil management practices. One of the most effective ways to improve soil health is through composting. By returning organic matter and nutrients to the earth, composting enriches the soil, enhances its structure, and boosts fertility. It’s an essential practice that plays a vital role in promoting sustainability and combating soil degradation.

At Sustainable Film, we actively encourage composting across our productions, from small-scale efforts to large-scale operations. Reducing waste and reusing materials are key principles to our approach across every project.

One example is how we donate coffee grounds from Craft services to local allotments for reuse as a natural fertiliser. On a recent production we were able to donate 340.5 kg of coffee grounds to Chorleywood Parish Council’s Dog Kennel Lane Allotments, who shared that “the amount of used coffee grounds received was enormous! Some of it was introduced directly into the planting beds within our community garden, enriching the compost and helping to produce a bumper crop of vegetables this year. The rest was incorporated into our rotational composting regime which will produce quality compost for many years to come.”

We’ve also implemented composting on larger scales. On a different large-scale production, we brought in a Rocket composter from Tiny Planet, which processed a total of 4,135 kg of food waste. The resulting fertiliser was used on an on-site vegetable patch that was maintained by our Sustainability team and also redistributed among crew members for personal use in their gardens.

When reusable plates, cups, and cutlery aren’t an option, we ensure the Catering and Craft teams use compostable service-ware. However, for composting to be successful, the compostables need to be processed properly via a process called in-vessel composting. We work closely with waste management vendors to make sure the composting process is executed correctly. This ensures the waste doesn’t end up in landfill or incineration, and instead contributes to a more sustainable waste management system.

As we celebrate World Soil Day, let’s take a moment to consider how we can incorporate composting into our daily routines, both at work and at home. The allotment team shared how “the delivery of the grounds inspired much conversation amongst our staff and volunteers about food waste, recycling, community partnerships, and the unique benefits and challenges of incorporating coffee grounds into food growing.” Conversations like these spark action and encourage us all to think about how we can reuse materials and look after the environment around us. Composting is a small but powerful step we can all take to promote healthier soils, reduce waste, and support a more sustainable future. Let’s continue to care for our planet – one compost heap at a time!