FID Case Study: MAD LEAP
MAD LEAP strives to close the food-energy waste loop with circular waste management and food production solutions. They combine anaerobic digestion with composting and food growing infrastructure to manage waste, produce food, and reduce carbon output.
During the programme, MAD LEAP aimed to create a scaling blueprint for their product, test model assumptions, and develop a cost-effective data monitoring approach.
Results
Throughout the trial, MAD LEAP made significant achievements to aid the common goal of developing a healthier natural ecosystem in east London. These included:
630kg
Total waste diverted from landfill
588kg
Total amount of carbon dioxide emissions reduced or prevented
9
Total number of individuals trained in Green Skills
Testbed Activity
For their trial, MAD LEAP implemented their closed loop composting and food production model in a working environment, Gainsborough Primary School in Hackney Wick. The trial took food waste from the school and produced fertiliser on site, which was in turn used to support the growth of food in the school’s playground.
Learnings and Challenges
The programme allowed MAD LEAP to model their minimum viable product, and refine their technology in collaboration with UCL academics. MAD LEAP were able to refine and alter fundamental technology of the composting system. They modelled and iterated an approach to community engagement and education.
MAD Leap made valuable discoveries around product diversification, seasonal planting, and revealed the opportunity for refinement of equipment. The trial improved yield calculations, strengthening MAD Leap’s business model, and revealing pathways to further revenue, such as potential new products. MAD LEAP concluded their trial with higher Technology Readiness Level and an increased ability to measure impact within the NESTA standards of Evidence.
Outputs
Environment
During their trial, MAD Leap diverted 630kg of waste material from landfill and prevented the emission of 588kg of CO2. They trained four new individuals in Green Skills. MAD Leap produced 731.5 litres of compost and 24.4kg of food produced.
Business
MAD LEAP have increased headcount by 20% and created four new partnerships in east London. They raised their NESTA Standards of Evidence level from Level 1 to Level 2.
Local Area
The approach has been community-based and educational throughout. MAD LEAP engaged an Educational Facilitator to deliver practical educational sessions in the edible outdoor classrooms. They also led a composting workshop to educate forty teachers during an inset day. They participated in a stakeholder networking event to local industry representatives.
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