The allocated £165,000, which the organisations had to bid for, will support local waste prevention, reuse and recycling initiatives.
The programmes include schools waste workshops, a repair cafe, cookery lessons to reduce food waste, clothes and textiles upcycling, a children’s toy lending library, restoration of unwanted furniture, food growing and community composting, and more.
‘Environmental stewards’
Chief executive of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA), Lesley Worswick, said: “The Community Fund helps groups to become environmental stewards, creating a healthier place for everyone. Thankfully, our society is increasingly recognising the value in resources – they’re not just disposable items.
“The impressive ideas this year from local organisations are truly inspiring, and with 56 applications, the selection process was tough. Many past projects funded by the Community Fund have lasting benefits. They not only leave a positive legacy, but also continue to influence participants’ habits through ongoing activities.”
A requirement of the application was that it had to tackle one or more of the five priority household waste materials: food, furniture, electricals, plastics and textiles. An analysis of waste in the Liverpool City Region was said to show that a greater amount of these materials “could be reused or recycled”.
‘Inspiring households’
One project is the British Dietetic Association (BDA) who have been running food waste reduction and cookery skills programmes using the Community Fund.
Suzanne Mitchell of the BDA said: “The opportunity to support a local community was a really powerful idea. We hope we’ve inspired households to think about new ways to save money by reducing the amount of food they throw away and growing their own produce.”
The successful organisations have got until March 2025 to deliver their projects.
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