SunSkips takes bite out of waste dumped at Food Museum allotment

SunSkips has a big appetite for helping out the local community, so when Stowmarket’s Food Museum let us know about the waste problems at their new allotment project, the team was quick to respond.

The volunteer-run charity is setting up at the new site after the old allotment became impractical due to flooding. But before they could get to work on sowing seeds, they had to contend with all sorts of waste that had been left or dumped on the disused land.

SunSkips donated an 8-yard skip so workers didn’t have to worry about clearing the rubbish away or sorting through it for recyclable material.

Food Museum marketing manager Chloe Brett went down to the allotment herself to help out, but never imagined the scene that would be waiting for her.

She said, “I couldn’t believe the amount of mess down there! It was way more than I was expecting. We filled the first skip very quickly, so it really helped and we’re so grateful!

Photo: Facebook/Food Museum

“It was a huge mess. Lots of forgotten plots, bottles of weed killer, bits of metal… all sorts!

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“Some of the things were left by previous allotment holders and because it was already full of rubbish, I think some other people thought ‘I’ll add mine.’”

The Food Museum – formerly known as the Museum of East Anglian Life before a name change last year – is an educational space with a mission to “connect people with where our food comes from and the impact of our choices: past, present and future.”

With a focus on the “human impact on the natural world”, Chloe said it made sense for the museum to use the land to grow produce and offer it up to those keen to get involved.

“Taking on an allotment felt like a nice fit for us,” explained Chloe. “There’ll be a plot for use by community groups so they can have a go at doing bits and pieces.”

Organisers were keen to find a sustainable solution to the rubbish on the site, so were happy to learn that SunSkips diverts as much of the 6000+ tonnes of Suffolk and Cambridgeshire waste it manages every month from landfill as possible.

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Sustainable waste management is a big part of what the museum advocates for as part of a program that encourages visitors to think about the effect their actions have on the environment.

Chloe said, “We do lots of composting onsite. In the last couple of years, we’ve put up clear signage at the museum to encourage visitors to make sure they use the right bin so it’s easier for them to recycle.”

Before the site can be opened up to budding agriculturists, volunteers still have their work cut out for them to clear the area of waste.

Chloe added, “We have lots of volunteers at the museum. We’ve asked staff to give at least one day to help with the clean up and lots of people have shown up to help.

Photo: Facebook/Food Museum

“We’re an independent museum. We charge an entrance fee and receive various grants, but we are a charity so don’t have a huge staff and have depended on volunteers to help.”

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After the new allotment is completed, volunteers plan to turn the old waterlogged site into an urban wetland, adding boardwalks so guests can enjoy it as a nature reserve.

Photo: Facebook/Food Museum

But there’s still plenty to do at the new allotment first.

Chloe added, “If you don’t have your own garden or you’re just keen to get involved, we still have some clean up days coming up, so please reach out if you’d like to help out!”

Visit the Food Museum to learn more about the food you eat every day and get in touch if you’d like to lend a hand with the allotment transformation.

If you’re an East Anglian charity or community organisation that could use a skip, reach out to our friendly team and we’ll see what we can do to help.