Sacred Heart in Tamworth is a vibrant parish and community project committed to living out Laudato Si’ by taking practical steps to protect creation and support those in need. Their sustainability statement sets out a clear mission: to reduce waste, minimise fossil fuel use, and invest resources responsibly for the good of both people and planet.

Two key initiatives at the heart of this vision are their solar panel installation and Ridan composter — projects that demonstrate how environmental action and social mission can go hand in hand.

Clean Energy for the Future
In discerning how best to meet their energy needs sustainably, the parish recognised that their roof space was perfectly suited for solar — south-facing and unobstructed. With stewardship and long-term savings in mind, they chose to install 80 solar panels across their buildings, with 50 on the church roof and 30 on adjacent parish shops, supported by battery storage.

“It is clean energy that reduces carbon emissions. It also reduces our bills significantly. We would rather invest in the planet than stocks and shares.”

This bold step reflects the parish’s belief that caring for creation should shape not only how we live, but also how we invest and plan for the future.

The panels have already led to lower energy costs and increased interest from the local community — with other churches, schools, and organisations enquiring about the project.

Closing the Loop: From Food Waste to Compost
Alongside their energy initiative, the parish installed a Ridan Composter — a practical solution for managing food waste from their café, food shop, and presbytery. All food scraps, including cooked food, bones, and vegetable waste, are fed into the composter each day and mechanically turned by hand.

Within two weeks, the material is transformed into compost, which is then finished in large bins before being used in the community garden.

“No food is treated as rubbish. It’s all potential soil. We don’t pay the council to collect it either.”

The project is supported by a local joinery firm that provides wood shavings for the compost mix. The end result is a circular system where waste is transformed into life-giving soil — enriching parish gardens and cutting landfill waste to zero.

The composter model is especially suited to parishes with a school or café, where food waste is generated daily. It turns environmental responsibility into hands-on education and witness.

A Whole-Parish Approach
These sustainability measures are part of a wider commitment to integral ecology. The parish also:

• Collects and redistributes surplus food through its community pantry.
• Operates a pre-loved clothing shop to reduce waste and support families.
• Encourages cycling, walking and car-sharing among parishioners.
• Uses rainwater harvesting for gardening.
• Plans to eliminate plastic use and introduce an EV charger.

This joined-up approach ensures that environmental care is embedded across parish life — from energy and waste management to social outreach and ethical investment.

Impact and Inspiration
The solar installation has significantly reduced parish energy bills, freeing up funds for pastoral work. The composter has eliminated food waste collection costs and sparked widespread interest from schools, community groups, and other parishes.

Together, these initiatives show how faith and innovation can combine to serve creation, the poor, and future generations.

Top Tips from Sacred Heart Tamworth

• Look for dual benefits — projects that care for the planet and strengthen community outreach.
• Consider solar power if your roof faces south and energy use is high.
• For parishes with cafés or schools, a composter can reduce costs and teach ecological values.
• Celebrate success and share learning — local curiosity can inspire wider change.

Sacred Heart Tamworth's Sustainability Statement