Hydroponic equipment confiscated from criminal drugs operations is to be used for organic food growing projects in schools thanks to a partnership between police and a social enterprise.
Educational social enterprise, Bespoke Engaging Education Services (BEES UK) is partnering with Devon and Cornwall Police to take the systems into schools across the region and train staff and students to create super-efficient food growing projects integrated into the curriculum.
Following discussions between BEES UK and police representatives, a new project has been launched to recycle the equipment for schools, creating aquaponics systems, where the vital nutrients are provided by resident fish through their waste products.
Superintendent Craig Downham said: ‘Devon and Cornwall Police prefer not to send items, which still have a useful purpose, to landfill.
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‘So, this is a win-win situation, putting the equipment to good use and saving public money. We have good working relationships with many charities donating items such as bikes, clothing, foodstuffs and saleable goods.’