Urban Waste Lab

URBAN WASTE LAB REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE RE-ACTIVIST

ZHIYAN ZHANG DESIGN PORTFOLIO RE-ACTIVIST ARCHITECTURE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD SSoA

“I don’t believe cities are created by great urban designers.

Cities are made by the desires of people.

What designers are able to do is provide a little awakening that might change what people want from a city.

That will eventually lead to a larger change.�

- Kenya Hara

Contents RE-ACTIVIST ARCHITECTURE

1

FRAMEWORK

REFLECTIVE REPORT The report presents the framework of the whole design process throughout the portfolio.

Development of concepts, methodologies, critical response to the assignments are illustrated in the report.

7

MOMENTS

AN INITIAL SITE EXPLORATION These instances identify cultural behavior, social practice, custom or the lack of the above from an independent perspective. This might be unsolicited behavior, habit or common practice but isn’t something dictated by an authority or large organization with commercial interests.

11 SMALL ACTIONS IN PLACE

INTERVENTION

The intervention seek to amplify, comment on or simply make more evident your identified moment. The active practice of engagement will allow us to interact with people to gain more information knowledge and discover things that wouldn’t ordinarily be obvious.

Conclusions from the intervention are presented at the end of this chapter.

17

TEMPORARY PROPOSITION

A CHANGE FOR TODAY

SCALE UP

Constructed situation is translated and participatory activity is transformed into a temporary, interim or meanwhile use that directly relates to the observations and knowledge gained from observing the site and engaging with it.

25

A CHANGE FOR TOMORROW An Urban strategy that will inform future policy and action is put forward at this stage. Having made a temporary small scale proposition which changes the perception of an area, a change at larger scale should take place with a set of strategies, which will improve the community.

31

FUTURE VISIONS

A CHANGE FOR TOMORROW Developed strategies are raised. By establishing a complete network and enlarging the landscape, an alternative perspective for Leeds Southbank is put forward.

Starting Point Aiming at caring about both environment and people, research has been done on the waste disposal problem and riverside environment in Leeds south bank. Based on the initial exploration and further studies about the site by following the guidance of the assignments, the idea of turning waste into use as well as improving the environment while gradually changing people's attitude has been formed step by step.

Define Moments

people awake influence

need designer

beautify environment

Leeds is a city in flux, which is targeted by the re-activist Architecture studio as its uncertainty and potential encouraging us to establish a new community relevance for the users.

First, we were asked to find our own moments in the site as the initial exploration and preconception of the area. In one of the chosen moment, there was a passer-by throwing an old carpet directly to the path in the proximity of the Aire River. Further observation indicated that littering was not uncommon in this area, resulting from both subjective reasons (few waste bins) and objective reasons(lack of public awareness), which forms the initial idea in the whole process: improving public awareness and providing basic facilities.

So what causes such littering behavior here? A bad urban environment leads to escalating crime and vandalism, and encourages littering behavior, whereas if there is a clean ,wellordered environment, it discourages littering and crime. To conclude, in order to have a high quality community, clean environment is to be provided while education should be given to the public.

Moment 1 Littering problem in Leeds Southbank Moment 2 caused by subjective reasons Moment 3 caused by objective reasons Cause subjective reason (people) & objective reasons (environment)

Intervention Based on the observation, small actions were done so as to engage in the environment. My first strategy is to pick up waste at the same site at the riverbank. Finding that it was an ineffective way, I shifted the mode that I started to pretend that I was selling rubbish to get people's attention. Amplifying the 'moment' of waste disposal, such an exaggerated way similar to performance art successfully attracted some passers-by. From the interaction and interview with them, I gathered some information about their views towards littering.

Why people hold totally different ideas on littering at the same place? It depends on the different definitions of the place. People's behavior alters with different definitions of the space. When people assume it is a negative space such as a wild land, then he would undoubtedly not care about the environment. Nevertheless, people who love the place would regard it as a positive space, thus, he would protect it instead.

1

Waste Selling

Interviews

needs

different views

Future Visions

Recycle

Appropriate education

Landscape

River as Medium

To sum up from the constructed situation, a question is posted: How to make a change to achieve a better community?

First, waste disposal infrastructure should be provided in the area.

Second, appropriate education should be given to arouse public awareness. The public should know more about the right way to deal with the waste instead of just throwing it about.

Third, view of the river should be shown to the public to make them aware of the existing beautiful landscape.

Based on the conclusion from the intervention, it is important how people think of the space, which will directly influence their behavior.

Landcape

Anerobic Digestion Plant

Co-operate with Local Business

Self - Funding

Cover Larger Area

Planning of Cycle Path

Link to Urban Green Kitchen

Add Facilities

Provide Space for Activities

Obtain Technical Support

Art Installations

Waste Collection Points

Waste Disposal Infrastructure

Change for Today - A Temporary Proposition

Techniques

A Close Circle

Network

Change for Tomorrow - Scale up When it comes to the larger scale, more factors must be taken into consideration including the profit of stakeholders, policy of the government, actions of city council and so on. By the way of creating scenarios with small groups, long-term development of the proposition is furthered.

First, more collection points will be necessary to structure a waste disposal network in a larger scale.

Through the research, case study and critical thinking about the project in semester 1, a future vision, an alternative perspective is put forward for Leeds Southbank.

Developed strategies are put forward on the basis of brief 5. There are two main strategies of the project including establising a complete waste disposal network and enlarging riverside landscape.Then, a series of supporting strategies are raised such as building up a close circle, setting up anerobic digestion plants, cooperating with local business, achieving self-funding etc.

In this stage, power of authorities and organisations must be taken into consideration because they play important roles in the future visions. For instance, Leeds City Council may have to run the project, and technical support, personneal, initial funding and other resources are definitely needed through the developement of t he project.

By enlarging the scale of the coverage of the project, it may cause profound impact to the local community. In terms of the disposal network proposal, it can deal with waste from numbers of households, making the waste become valuable agatin. Enlarging the landscape enables people to realise the beauty of the environment. And these are exactly the main aims I set up while going back to the moments and the intervention.

Second, particular techniques can be applied to optimize the installation. Anaerobic digestion is introduced in this project.

However, there are drawbacks in the project. First, research of the social context and background of the site is not enough.

Second, not enough case studies result in the limitation of the design.

Green walls will be added by using the fertilizer and soil conditioner mentioned above. In this way can people get more access to landscape.

Nevertheless, the future visions indicates an alternative future for for Leeds Southbank, which contributes to both environment and people.

2

METHODOLOGY

MAPPING

3

Hierarchy the development of the studio process

Interact how different process impact each other

Product Resulted product from paticular method

4

LEEDS SOUTHBANK

5

The area covered consist of four key city centre sites: the former Tetley Brewery, New Lane, Bridge End and Asda House. The area is a vital link between the traditional city centre core and the Riverside to the north, Holback Urban Village to the west, the Aire Valley to the east, and residential communities of Beeston Hill and Holbeck to the south.

Leeds South Bank is likely to change significantly in the next few years particularly as a result of the recent closure of the Carlsberg Tetley Brewery. (South Bank Planning Statement)

(Re-)Activist Architecture

The studio targets a City in Flux, as a ginger group ‘Working from within’, seeking opportunities of un-solicited, re-activist architectural intervention.

Our aim is to change the perception of an area’s potential by responding to the needs and wellbeing of future occupants to establish a new community relevance.

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7

LOCATION

17:20

15:40

16:10

2 3

1

MOMENT 2

Cyclers

The clothes of the cyclers are splashed with dirty water from the muddy path.

MOMENT 3

Office worker

Some office workers had their lunch sitting at the riverbank.

8

MOMENT 1

Passer-by

Incident A man threw an old carpet directly to the floor.

Time 15.40 Date 21st October Location Southbank Riverbank

This is the most impressive moment I found in visiting Leeds Southbank. It is an unsolicited behavior which may indicate the environmental isssue or cultural behaviour of local people. It is hard to say such behaviour is common in this area, however, such informal practice aroused my attention and curiousity to have further exploration of the area, trying to find out the answers to the following questions.

Does it often happenes?

Will it happen again?

Where else does it happen?

In order to dig out the reason and the relevant issues I started the observation.

9

Through further exploration in the proximity of the site, I found that littering is not uncommon in this area.

First, the small amount of dustbins is undoubtedly the main reason contributing to such behavior.

Moreover, it can be concluded that people's attitude also plays an important part. People may not be willing to care about the environment according to broken windows theory or just simply do not feel responsible for public areas.

RESEARCH QUESTION After the initial exploration and research of the area, I have put forward a research qestion at this stage.

What is the reason of the littering problem in Leeds Southbank riverside and how can we change it?

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11

CONSTRUCTED SITUATION

" We Sell Rubbish

" 12

CONSTRUCTED SITUATION After collecting waste around, I decided to start my constructed situation as a strange seller with a board said ' WE SELL RUBBISH '.

B A

Fortunately, we got people's attention in the process so that we can intereact with the residents or tourists.

Site Plan

13

INTENTION Selcting MOMENT 1 as the original idea of the design, constructed situation was done, which aims at:

amplify the impact of the waste gather different opinions from people engage with the environment

Site A Local Resident

Riverside Path

local teenager

Tourists

Office Lady

Site B

Tourist

14

INTERACTION In order to know more about views from different people. Short interviews were conducted after successfully getting people's attention.

People with different positions hold different ideas about the area, which help us to clarify their actual NEEDS, in other words, what they want from the city.

Simple qustionnare was designed before the event.

Interviewed people were asked about their opions about the environment, their attitudes towards littering and whether they liked this place or not.

Interview

17:25

Site A 14:25

It's not a clean environment, and it's been years.

This is a nice place, I don't think people will just litter here.

I went pass this path several times a month, so I am not so familiar with it.

14:40

Site B

14:45

"

After smoking I just threw the cigarette into the river. I don't think it is a big deal.

It is a wild land, so everyone does it. (littering) No, I don't like this place.

15:04

15:40

"

We are just tourists, and we think the river is good.

I live around here, and there are few dustbins here in this area.

I will take the rubbish to the dustbin or sometimes dipose it when I arrive home.

It is a good path for a walk. I like this place.

15

"

"

CONCLUSION

Negative Space

Shift

N Space and P Space is a concept raised from a Japanese architect named Luranraison, which indicates the definition of exterior space.

Positive Space

Negative Space With no intention Unplanned Can't fulfill people's needs Designer

Positive Space Highly functional Centrality

People

riverside path

abandoned can waste in the river

path

site A

grass

N Space

P Space

functional facilities

site B

However, people with different views will judge the space in different way, which leads to different definitions.

So the intervention event was conducted in two selected site, one of which is generally defined as Negative Space while the other is acceptedly defined as Postive Space.

Second, according to the broken windows theory, environment can be improved to alter people's attitudes towards the area. In this way can people start to realise the beauty of the environment and be willing to care about it.

16

17

How to make a change to achieve a better community?

By analysis and summary of the previous works, a draft conclusion has been made.Focusing on both people as well as environment, I decided to deliver the design to the public by following ways.

CONCEPTS

Enlarge landscape

Provide waste disposal infrastructure

Delivery appropriate education

Utilise river as medium

Link with recycling network in Leeds

SITE

Leeds Station

Royal Armouries Museum

PAVILLION

18

SITE ANALYSIS

RIVER VIEW Tourists

environment people

WORKSHOP LEISURE

Office Residents

ACTIVITIES

Space

ART INSTALLATION

EVENT

Lotcated along the river and in the proximity of the Roayl Armouries Museum, the pavillion provides an oppotunity with the visitors to enjoy the view of the river. Besides, residence is mainly located not far from the riverside as well, which makes it covenient for residents to visit and have activties at the pavillion.

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VIEWING PLATFORM

CREATIVE WORKSHOP

Spare space can be utilised by residents to have leisure activities and enjoy the view.

Events can be held here. This semi-open place can be used for residents to bring some stuffs to be repaired or to exchange.

In this way can the products be reused much easily.

VISIBLE WASTE

People can put their waste into the bins on the path.

PATH

Making the waste visible enables people to feel the volume of the waste as well as its impact to the environment.

PATH

Go downstairs

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PLAN

Urban Waste Pavillion 21

The original idea of the whole design is based on the conclusion from the previous work including defining my own moments in south bank riverside and the intervention which allowed me to engage with the environment as well as interact with the people.

The simpliest idea and the starting point of the design of this temporary construction is to provide some basic facilities for people to dispose their household waste in more proper way. However, through the interview with the local residents, I realised that alter people's attitude may be a more important way to change the situation.

Therefore, that is the propose of the Waste Lab, which is to make a change in both environment and individuals.

Besides, located beside the river, the construction can be used by residents as well as tourists as space to hold activities.

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PEOPLE & ENVIRONMENT

View in the Mirror In front of the huge mirror, people can see themselves in the mirror while it reflecting the view of the river as well as the landscape from the other side of the river.

Visible Waste Waste become visible by these huge bins made by glass. When people stand in front of it, they can feeling the volume of the waste themselves.

Different amount of waste will influence the view and audience's feeling.

23

There are two storeys in the pavillion. The lower storey includes art installation such as mirrors and huge visable waste bin while the upper storey mainly aims at providing space for people to have lesure activities and enjoy the view of the river.

SECTION

ELEVATION 24

25

STRATEGY By making the scenario game in a group of 5, we imagine what is going to happen in following three years.

In the game, we took turn to play the role as residents, architect, developer, and other involved people. Then we give our comments in our own position. At last, we come up this version of scenario, which enpand the waste diposal network by increasing the number of collection points and making conncetion to the new generation transport.

Meanwhile advanced technology is introduced to help raise the public awareness.

Introduce Advanced Techniques

Add Landscape

Establish Waste Disposal Network

Anaerobic Digestion can be introduced as a method to deal with the food waste.

(Image from Internet)

Beautify the environment in Leeds Southbank to make people realise that they should care about the environment

A network can be established to collect and utilise waste.

(Image from Internet)

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Scenario Making

PHASE 1

Visible Waste

RESIDENT

+

Think it is good to have space for activities, but it is not convinient to put the waste into the recycle bins for there are just several particular points.

Space provided for activities

+

COUNCIL Will it impact the local life or society?

View

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION Educational activities can be held in the provided space.

2015 URBAN DESIGNER

27

PHASE 2

PHASE 3

MORE COLLECTION POINTS

+

ANEROBIC DIGESTION PLANTS SET UP

+

COMMUNITY

MORE PLANTS

+

COUNCIL Think maybe the coverage can be larger and supporting policy can be carried out.

LARGER SCALE

COUNCIL would like to support new ideas for it improves the environment of the river bank

Residential area and office area are covered

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION Would like to help provide resources such as volunteers if needed

COVER FOODSERVICE BUSINESS

+

RESIDENT URBAN GREEN KITCHEN

URBAN DESIGNER

2018

It is convinient to deal food waste now, and it is good for living environment.

URBAN DESIGNER

2021

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CASE STUDY

LEAP LEAP micro AD is a cross sector partnership developing micro anaerobic digestion, a renewable technology that turns all organic waste (except wood) into a clean fuel and fertiliser. The biogas produced can be used for heating, cooking and lighting or be cleaned and compressed for use as a vehicle fuel. The fertiliser is a valuable product with excellent levels of nitrogen, good for food growing and turf strengthening.

http://r-urban-wick.net/blog/r-urban-wick-blog/751/leap-micro-anaerobic-digestion

CRADLE TO CRADLE DESIGN Architect William McDonough believes green design can prevent environmental disaster and drive economic growth. He champions “cradle to cradle” design, which considers a product's full life cycle — from creation with sustainable materials to a recycled afterlife. http://www.ted.com/talks/william_mcdonough_on_cradle_to_cradle_design

We realize that 'away' went away.

-William Mcdonough 29

ANAEROBIC DIGESTION PLANT

Food waste can be used to generate biogas, which is known as a kind of clean energy, soil conditioner and fertilizer by the technology of anearobic digestion to serve the local residents.

ADD LANDSCAPE

water supplying tube planting bags & formulated soil planting blanket irrigation system

GREEN WALL Fertiliser and soil conditioners produced in the anaerobic digestion plant can be used to grow plants on the green walls.

On one hand, energy produced can be used effectively to help grow plants on the green walls.

On the other hand, from enjoying the landscape brought by the vertical greening, people can know about the value of the waste while they will realize that it is much more meaningful to utilise the waste rather than just throw away them.

base surface

gutter

MORE COLLECTION POINTS More collection points can be set up, most of which can be very simple but functional just with a few bins. Waste can be transferred to recycling sites.

NEXT PHASE

INTRODUCE ADVANCED TECHNIQUES

In order to enlarge the network while make it more effective, we can make connection with local stores and restaurants to collect food waste for generating energy.

ESTABLISH WASTE DISPOSAL NETWORK

Link with proposed infrastructure including HS2 and New Generation Transport to expand the waste disposal network.

30

31

STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT

Introduce Advanced Techniques

Add Landscape

ESTABLISH A COMPLETE WASTE DISPOSAL NETWORK

ENLARGE RIVERSIDE LANDSCAPE

A Close Circle

Anerobic Digestion Plant

Co-operate with Local Business

Self - Funding

Establish Waste Disposal Network

Provide Space for Activities Planning of Cycle Path Add Facilities

Link to Urban Green Kitchen

Art Installations

Waste Collection Points along the River

Cover Larger Area

Obtain Technical Support

32

CASE STUDY

R-URBAN R-URBAN is a bottom-up strategy that explores the possibilities of enhancing the capacity of urban resilience by introducing a network of resident-run facilities to create complementarities between key fields of activity (economy, housing, urban agriculture, culture). R-Urban initiates locally closed ecological cycles that will support the emergence of alternative models of living, producing and consuming between the urban and the rural. http://r-urban-wick.net/

CAMLEY STREET NATURAL PARK Camley Street Natural Park was created from an old coal yard back in 1984. It sits in the middle of King’s Cross, alongside the sparkling new Eurostar station at St Pancras. It is popular with all kinds of people seeking respite from the buzz of the city around them, as well as being a hub for London Wildlife Trust volunteers. http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/reserves/camley-street-natural-park

33

ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVE FOR LEEDS An exhibition on alternative perspective to improve community in Leeds was held

by Re-Activist Architecture studio in Leeds Tetley. Apart from visitors, designers from Leeds City Council were invited and gave us important feedbacks and suggestions to our projects.

After the review, I got some important opinions from Leeds City Council, which plays an essential role in my project.

Urban Designer from Leeds City Council

"

The scale of the anaerobic digestion plant must be kept small in order not to cause inconvenience to residents.

" 34

NETWORK DEVELOPMENT

PHASE 1 2015-2018

Coverage

1 2

In the first phase, collection points will be installed along the river.

3

Urban Waste Pavillion will be constructed.

4 anaerobic digestion plants will be set up as the pilot project.

4

5

PHASE 2

6 7

2018-2021 In the second phase, more collection points and more anaerobic digestion plants will be installed to cover larger area.

8

9

10

LEGEND

35

Anaerobic Digestion Plant

Urban Green Kitchen

Supermarket

Urban Waste Pavillion

Riverside Collection points

Restaurant

Hotel

LOCATION As it is metioned before, the selection of location of the urban waste pavillion focuses more on providing a better view of the river and attracting more visitors. However, comparatively, the locations of the anaerobic digestion plants aims at covering a lager area to serve more people.

In the first phase, food service business at riverbank will be the main target audience of the projects including supermarkets, restaurants, bars and hotels which can provide food waste regularly.

In the second phase, anaerobic digestion plants will be constructed in the proximity of the residential buildings. With numbers of colletion points added in the residential area, it will of more convenience and effect to the waste collection process.

PHASE 1

1

2

4

3

FOOD SERVICE BUSINESS

PHASE 2

5

7

6

9

8

RESIDENTIAL AREA 10 36

Bar Restaurant

Supermarket

How does the project function and achieve self-funding?

Foodservice Business Waste Pavillion

The whole project can be runned

by Leeds City Council. At the beginning, funding is needed, but soon it can acheive selffunding by selling the products.

Collection Points

Anaerobic Digestion Plant Residents Leeds City Council

Fertilizer & Soil Conditioner

Colletion Boat

There are two main products from the anaerobic digestion plants, biogas, fertiliser and soil conditioner.

Biogas can be used as fuel to power the boat. Moreover, it can be used to generate heat and eletricity, which makes it valuable for all kinds of users.

So the biogas can be sold to the local business at lower prices.

Fertiliser and soil conditioner can helop grow food, which works well will farms and green houses. Then it can be sold to Urban Green Kitchen for profit.

Biogas Restaurant Profit

Residents

Bar

INPUT OUTPUT MANAGE

Supermarket 37

FUNDING

COOPERATION WITH URBAN GREEN KITCHEN AERIAL VIEW

URBAN WASTE LAB

Urban Green Kitchen is a project

by Daisy Tang in Studio Re-Activist Architecture, which grows food in street gardens in South bank.

Fertiliser and Soil Conditioner helps grow food URBAN GREEN KITCHEN

Fertiliser and soil conditioner produced in Urban Waste Lab can be sold to Urban Green Kitchen for income, which contributes to funding the project.

(Image from Internet)

38

NETWORK LEGEND Anaerobic Digestion Plant

Urban Green Kitchen

Urban Waste Pavillion

Hotel

Collection points

Supermarket

Riverside Collection points

Restaurant

In the first stage, the boat will be the main transport to collect the waste from the riverside collection points.

When it comes to the second stage, tricycle will be utilised in order to cover a larger scale area including the residential area which the boat cannot reach.

Tricycle Route Boat Route

Large numbers of collections points will be installed in the residential area to collect the waste from the households.

Moreover, tricycle is a clean vehicle which does not produce harmful gas to the air.

Residential Area

Industrial Area

Office Area Shopping Centre

Office Area

Office Area Density of daily activities

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Residential Area

According to the density of people's activities, the quantity of collection points and frequency of waste collection routine varies in different area.

The bench is put along the riverside.

The design of the bench provides seats and tables that enable people to have a rest on it and watch the river view at the same time.

A bin is linked with each bench for the food waste collection. Waste collected in the bins can be collected by boat in the river.

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STREET VIEW

41

Cycle path can be planned to make it more effective for the waste transfer by tricycle. Moreover, cyclers can ride bicycles on the cycle path instead of the muddy path, which enables them to have a better experience and enjoy the landscape along the river.

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MATERIAL

Stainless Steel Timber

Plant

FUNCTION Stairs

Dock

CHEMICAL PROCESS

Microorganism

Food Waste

Fertiliser & Soil Conditioners

Biogas

Grow Food

Fuel for Boat

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EQUIPMENT According to the research(from UK News Dateblog), approximately 7m tonnes of food and drink was thrown in year 2012, which indicates that there is a large amount of food waste while most of them are just thought to be valueless.

However, it can be used to generate energy and even make profit! This can be seemed as the dream of WE SELL RUBBISH come true.

Based on some research and the size of the equipment, each plant can deal with waste from approximately 100 households.

DIGESTER AND GAS STRORAGE TANK

DIGESTATE STORAGE TANK

Digestate from the digester can be 2.5m temporarily stored.

The whole process takes place in the digester under high temperature.

0.5m

1m

PRETREATING MACHINE

Packaging is removed in this step.

digestate will be storaged in the tank in liquid

Food waste with packaging

Packaging will be removed in this step. the gas can be storaged here

the rest of the waste will be transformed into liquid the liquid will be transferred to the digester by pipe

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with gas tight environment, the process happen under ceartain temperature (30-35degree)

ORGANIZATION

Funding

Space

Events

Personnel

Techniques

Recycling Knowledge

Other Available Resources

Doing Good Leeds

Anaerobic Digestion Plant

Residents

Leeds Community Center

Technicians

Department of Energy & Cimite Change Riverside Collection points Employees

Leeds Recycling Center

Volunteer

Leeds City Council

Urban Waste Pavillion

Tutor

South Yourshire Energy Cener

Collection points The Bioeconomy Consultants — NNFCC Gardeners (Residents)

Local Foodservice Bisness

Urban Green Kitchen 46