Biochar breakthrough for Brinsbury

Brinsbury College is continuing to make it’s campus greener and more sustainable.
It recently welcomed the addition of a new, mobile Exeter Biochar Retort kiln, which will produce sustainable charcoal with multiple benefits.
The kiln releases around 75% fewer pollutants into the air, making it a cleaner alternative to a standard charcoal kiln.
It’s the first of several new items of sustainable technology being introduced at Brinsbury College, thanks to the Skills Development Fund – a grant awarded to the Greener Sussex project, which supports colleges working in collaboration across the Sussex and Brighton areas to respond to local employment needs and trends in the green economy.
The college will be using this new Biochar Kiln in several ways, which include:
- Burning their by-products from around the estate – including felled trees and branches, off-cuts from horticulture and grounds maintenance to create sustainable charcoal;
- Trialling some of the produced charcoal in the forges for blacksmithing and farriery students;
- Research in the horticulture department, who will be testing the effects of the Biochar that has been added to soil as part of fertilisation.
Student enterprise opportunities will also allow charcoal to be produced and sold to experience commercial and business development, while it also has high potential as a sustainable product for increasing soil health and fertility in agricultural soils.
Paul Burry, Head of Learning, said: “Our Biochar retort allows a variety of curriculum areas to access its benefits.
“Brinsbury College is committed to a ‘Green agenda’ which focuses on our sustainability responsibilities.
“This is a fully encompassing project that is not only environmentally friendly but exposes our curriculum areas and students to sustainability practices.”