Back in 1993 a group of environmentally conscious allotment holders launched a community composting project. They wanted to compost garden clippings going to landfill and create a local recycling facility for other items. All were committed to principles of zero waste and environmental sustainability. The rural skip service was being filled up with many reusable, recyclable and compostable items and the nearest recycling centres were 15 and 22 miles away. The group started their activities around the skips that came to the town each month and took out as much reusable and recyclable materials as possible.
Proper Job Limited was set up by these founding members in 1995, describing itself as “a community business committed to principles of sustainability and helping to create jobs”. This is still true for Proper Job over twenty years on. Plans were developed to find a permanent site for larger scale compost production, which also included the holistic vision which embraced the concept of a healthy community. This was achieved through principles of community participation, with recycling and sustainability as a central feature.
Proper Job Resource Centre Market Field, Chagford TQ13 8DR
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Specific proposals included:
Obtaining a permanent site for a Resource Centre for recycling, training and vegetable growing (Proper Job Resource Centre)
Opening a wholefood community shop and café. (The Courtyard Café and Shop)
The plan was implemented over the next 5 years, financed by funding grants and supporters who provided a premises, fittings and equipment at a deferred rental. Supporters in the community also loaned money to enable the purchase of the initial stock for the café and shop. Today the Courtyard Café continues to trade from its original premises in Chagford Square. Since 2000 the Proper Job Resource Centre can be found on a site next to Market Field. This permanent site has enabled Proper Job to evolve organically into what it is today.
Throughout the years Proper Job has acted as a spring board for local businesses as well as individuals who work for us. We are proud to have been able to support other local initiatives such as Chagfarm and Chagfood and plan to continue helping to build a sustainable community.
On June 19th 2018 Proper Job was recognised by the Charities Commission and became a registered charity. The objectives of the Proper Job Resource Centre are the protection and preservation of the environment by the promotion of waste reduction, re-use and recycling and advancing education of the general public about all aspects of waste generation, waste management and waste recycling. We aim to educate, help and inspire people to live more sustainably.
We host workshops and events to get the community involved. Keep up to date on our events page. We also help and encourage other communities to follow our lead because every town deserves a Proper Job!
