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NEWS: Recycle Right this Christmas and New Year

Householders in the Liverpool City Region are being asked to recycle as much as possible this Christmas and New Year – but to bear in mind any COVID-19 restrictions.

Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA) and its contractor Veolia are reminding local people that the region’s 14 Household Waste Recycling Centres are open most days, where all sorts of items can be recycled for free.

Tonnes of waste material is usually created at this time of the year, but with COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing in place it may not be as quick and easy to recycle as normal.

Councillor Tony Concepcion, Chairperson of MRWA, said: “A considerable amount of waste is created at this time of the year so it’s a good opportunity to boost the region’s recycling levels. Our Recycling Centres will happily accept the clutter of people’s packaging, bottles, cans and even Christmas trees.

“However, traditionally the Centres do get very busy around Christmas, and social distancing is still in place, so we would ask people if they can delay their visit then please do so. If you must visit then try and sort your items before you get to site and expect to queue.

“Alternatively, store waste at home until the rush is over if you can, use your household recycling bin, or even local bring banks if available. Whatever you do, please don’t fly-tip outside the Centres as this is illegal and you could be fined.”

Household Waste Recycling Centres will be closed on the following days ONLY over Christmas and New Year:

CHRISTMAS DAY (Friday 25th Dec)
BOXING DAY (Saturday 26th Dec)
NEW YEAR’S DAY (Friday 1st Jan)

Many items can be deposited at the region’s Recycling Centres, with the majority accepting cans, cardboard, garden waste, glass jars and bottles, paper, scrap metal, textiles, tyres, timber/wood, white goods and electrical items.

As the Centres are particularly busy at this time of year MRWA and Veolia are asking householders to, if possible, consider the following:

– Is it essential that you dispose of the waste or can your visit wait?
– There may be long queues and long waiting times.
– Try to use household waste bins or local bring banks.
– If you are visiting a Recycling Centre, please try to sort your waste before you visit (e.g. place cardboard together, wood together). This way you don’t have to do it at the Centre while you are there. You can view the layout of your Recycling Centre at www.veolia.co.uk/merseyside-and-halton.
– Visitors should stay at least 2 metres apart from others.
– Unload your vehicle yourself – no assistance can be given by staff members currently.
– No COVID waste (e.g. used tissues) unless it has been stored for 72 hours.
– Please don’t fly-tip your waste outside a Recycling Centre as this is illegal and you could be fined or prosecuted.
– If using a van or large trailer you will need to pre-book your visit at www.merseysidewda.gov.uk
– If you are going to visit Formby, Sefton Meadows or Rainhill in any vehicle, you will need to pre-book your visit at www.merseysidewda.gov.uk
– Householders looking to see what they can and can’t recycle should visit www.recycleright.org.uk to get the latest advice.

Other tips for a cleaner Christmas include:

– Flatten cardboard boxes before adding them to a recycling container – it will take up less room.

– Remove any plastic wrapping and polystyrene before placing cardboard boxes into the correct container. Unfortunately we can’t recycle your plastic gift wrapping.

– Please don’t bring us plastic bags – try to reuse them as much as possible and next time you go shopping why not buy a bag-for-life?

– Separate your clear glass bottles, brown bottles and green bottles for the correct container (and put any blue bottles with green bottles).
– Bring us your cans – people use an extra 500 million drinks cans during the festive period, which are all recyclable!

– Remember to recycle Christmas cards instead of throwing them away.

– After Christmas you can bring your real Christmas trees to our Recycling Centres where they’ll be shredded and turned into chippings for compost.

ENDS

Categories

NEWS: Merseyside Recycling Centres to remain open during lockdown period

NEWS

Date: 4th November 2020

Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority can confirm that it plans to keep all 14 of its Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) open and operational through the next national lockdown period starting on 5th November 2020.

All of the Centres will operate in line with winter opening times 8.00am – 5.00pm.There are booking systems in place for all vans at all site, and for cars at the Sefton Meadows, Formby and Rainhill sites only.  Please book an appointment online at www.merseysidewda.gov.uk

These arrangements will be kept under constant review depending upon developing local and national guidance, and any changes in coronavirus legislation. Access restrictions will remain in place to control visitor numbers on site at any time and to ensure appropriate social distancing for members of the public and staff.

Members of the public are asked to only visit one of the Centres if absolutely essential at this time. We will keep our website regularly updated, and further information regarding opening at each of the HWRCs can be found at www.merseysidewda.gov.uk and via our social media channels @MerseysideRWA.

ENDS

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NEWS: Recycling Centres switch to shorter winter hours

Merseyside’s Recycling Centres are set to switch to their shorter winter opening hours.

From Thursday 1st October the Centres will be open from 8.00am until 5.00pm* – changing from the summer hours of 8.00am to 8.00pm.

There are 14 Household Waste Recycling Centres in the region. They are operated by resource management company Veolia on behalf of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA).

Currently, all HWRCs are open and operational.

There is a car booking system in place for Formby, Rainhill and Sefton Meadows. These Centres have a limited number of slots for each day. This allows for them to be serviced – such as getting waste containers emptied – and also ensures that staff can monitor site users and ensure compliance with social distancing rules.

There is also a temporary allocation system in place for those who wish to visit a HWRC in a van or with a large trailer with household waste only. The existing Van Permit Scheme remains suspended at this time. Vans are currently not allowed onto Rainhill HWRC until further notice.

Bookings for both systems can be made at www.merseysidewda.gov.uk.

Carl Beer, Chief Executive of MRWA, said: “Social distancing is still being enforced in England which means there are restrictions on all our sites for the safety and the health of both staff and visitors, hence there are only a certain number of cars allowed on site at any one time. We would ask all householders to please follow site staff instructions if they do choose to visit any Recycling Centre.

“Our main message remains the same as it has done since we reopened in May – that people should visit their Recycling Centre only if it is essential. If waste can be disposed or recycled through kerbside collections, or if items can reused or repurposed, then please do so.”

Councillor Tony Concepcion, Chairperson of MRWA, said: “We shorten the hours over the winter to coincide with the darker nights over the forthcoming months. Merseyside householders can use the Centres to recycle a host of items – from cans, car batteries and cardboard to garden waste, large plastics, scrap metal, textiles and timber, and more.”

Ends

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The picture attached is of a Household Waste Recycling Centre.

From October 1st 2020 until March 31st 2021 Merseyside’s Household Waste Recycling Centres will be open from 8.00am until 5.00pm*. The Centres are located at:

Knowsley –
Huyton – Wilson Road – L36 6AD
Kirkby – Depot Road, Knowsley Industrial Park – L33 3AR

Liverpool –
Old Swan – Cheadle Avenue – L13 3AF
Otterspool – Jericho Lane, Aigburth – L17 5AR

Sefton –
Formby – Altcar Road, Formby – L37 8EG
Sefton Meadows – Sefton Lane, Maghull – L31 8BX
Southport – Foul Lane, Scarisbrick New Road – PR9 7RG
South Sefton – Irlam Road, Bootle – L20 4AE

St Helens –
Newton-le-Willows – Junction Lane – WA12 8DN
*Rainhill – Tasker Terrace, Rainhill – L35 4NX
Ravenhead – Burtonhead Road, St. Helens – WA9 5EA

Wirral –
Bidston – Wallasey Bridge Road, Birkenhead – CH41 1EB
Clatterbridge – Mount Road, Clatterbridge – CH63 4JZ
West Kirby – Greenbank Road – CH48 5HR

*NB:
Rainhill:
Monday to Friday: Open 8.00am-5.00pm
Saturdays: Open 9.00am-5.00pm
Sundays: Open 9.00am–3.00pm

MRWA is a local government body with nine elected members from the five constituent councils in Merseyside. It organises and manages disposal of all waste collected by the five councils and operates 14 Household Waste Recycling Facilities. www.merseysidewda.gov.uk

Categories

NEWS: BOOK A VAN HERE

NEWS

We are now allowing a limited number of vans and large trailers onto the Recycling Centres each day (with the exception of Rainhill).

Visits are strictly via a pre-arranged booking only and anyone turning up without a pre-booked visit will be turned away.

Residents wishing to make a booking can do so by BOOKING ONLINE HERE

Once the total number of permitted vans or large trailers per day has been reached for a particular site, then no more bookings for that day will be taken and residents will need to choose an alternative day that has availability.

There is no need to book a specific time slot and, once the date of a booking has been confirmed, the vehicle registration details will be provided to site attendants and residents can turn up at any time on their allotted day.  If there are queues at site, residents with a van allocation booking will need to join the queue.

Visits in a van or with a large trailer will be strictly limited to one vehicle/household per week, with a maximum of 12 visits per year.

Household waste only. No trade waste. Those with a hire vehicle may be asked to present the hire documents.

Conditions of the Van Allocation System:

A booking is required to access all Household Waste Recycling Centres in a van, whether hired or owned or for a trailer between 2m and 3m.

Residents are allowed to book up to two appointments per week up to a maximum of 12 per year. One appointment allows one visit only to the chose Recycling Centre. The week runs from Sunday to Saturday.

Residents who arrive at a Recycling Centre in a van (owned or hired) or have a trailer between 2m and 3m without a booking will not be permitted access to the site.

Bookings can only be made by visiting www.merseysidewda.gov.uk

Only household waste is permitted at site and you may be refused access if it is suspected that the waste you are bringing has arisen from trade activity.

Categories

NEWS: RECYCLING CENTRES – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

Most of Merseyside’s Household Recycling Centres have reopened.

To help you plan your visit we’ve put together a range of the most FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS below:

Are any Recycling Centres closed?

Our Rainhill Centre reopened on Monday 21st September.

For Rainhill, Sefton Meadows and Formby residents will need to book a slot to access the site. CLICK HERE for more information.

Will I have to book a slot to visit the sites?

We have introduced a booking system for Rainhill, Formby and Sefton Meadows only – CLICK HERE for more information.

Will the sites be busy?

 

We expect all our sites to be busy, so if your journey is not essential and your waste can wait, we’d advise postponing your visit for now.

How long will I have to queue at the site?

 

The queues expected at our sites mean that you could be waiting a long time at some sites – you may have to queue for several hours.

Do you have any way for residents to see how long the the queues are at sites?

It is difficult for us to provide waiting times for all of our open Recycling Centres at any given time – expect to queue between 30 minutes and 2 hours.

How many cars will be allowed on site?

 

There will be restrictions on site and there will only be a few cars allowed on site at any one time. Please follow staff instructions.

What are the social distancing restrictions in place?

 

You will be directed to a designated space and you will be expected to follow the social distancing rules as instructed. Where possible a one way system will be marked and designated on each site.

What can I bring to site?

The full range of household waste and recyclable materials can be brought to sites

What if I have waste relating to coronavirus infection?

If any households have had COVID-19 symptoms the residual waste should be double bagged and left for 72 hours before being putting in your residual bin or brought to site in accordance with Public Health England guidance.

Can I walk waste onto site?

Walk in access with waste will not be allowed.

Will anyone on site be able to help unload?

Staff will not be able to help you unload your car due social distancing restrictions.

Is the Permit Scheme in operation at sites?

 

The Commercial Vehicle Permit Scheme is temporarily suspended. A limited number of vans are now allowed on – please see this link for more information https://www.merseysidewda.gov.uk/2020/07/book-a-van/

Can I come to site in a van or bring a large trailer?

 

Yes, a limited number of vans are allowed on site  but have to be booked. Please see https://www.merseysidewda.gov.uk/2020/07/book-a-van/

I have a small trailer (less than 2 metres) can I bring that to the site?

Small Trailers (those less than 2 metres) that do not usually need a permit will be allowed on site.

How many people can be in the car?

 

As few people should attend the HWRC in a vehicle as possible and, wherever practical, only one person should leave the vehicle to dispose of the waste.

Any person who does get out of the vehicle on site should follow any instructions provided by site staff and should remember to follow social distancing guidelines at all times.

Can I bring my children with me?

 

Do not bring children to site unless you really have to. If you do bring children they will not be allowed to leave the car.

Are there any traffic restrictions at the site or on the surrounding roads?

 

There will be queues and there may be restrictions on the highways and roads leading up to the sites, there will be traffic marshals at most sites and we ask people to adhere to any advice they may give.

 

 

Categories

NEWS: CHECK IF YOUR RECYCLING CENTRE IS OPEN

We have decided to open with restrictions and subject to traffic management plans being in place for each site.

MRWA along with its contractor Veolia will be implementing clear operating guidelines with respect to the necessity of visits, social distancing on site and queuing. Our priority at all times is the safety of residents and the hard working staff at all of our Centres.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT VISITING YOUR RECYCLING CENTRE CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The restrictions will be:

● The number of vehicles allowed on site will be restricted, and queuing times will be longer.

● As few people should attend the HWRC in a vehicle as possible and, wherever practical, only one person should leave the vehicle to dispose of the waste. Any person who does get out of the vehicle on site should follow any instructions provided by site staff and should remember to follow social distancing guidelines at all times.

● Visits to Formby, Rainhill and Sefton Meadows must be booked beforehand – see https://www.merseysidewda.gov.uk/2020/06/test-merseysidewda-gov-uk/

● Vans must book before visiting – see https://www.merseysidewda.gov.uk/2020/07/book-a-van/

● Social distancing of at least 2 metres will be strictly enforced.

● Site Employees will not be able to assist with unloading.

If households have had COVID-19 symptoms then waste should be left for at least 72 hours before disposal and personal waste should be safely double bagged. Place it in your normal bin collection if you can.

For your local Recycling Centre see – https://www.merseysidewda.gov.uk/waste-recycling/household-waste-recycling-centres-hwrcs/

Categories

COMMUNITY FUND: Community group in glean up and clean up mission

A community group from Bootle has received a funding boost to help stop unused food from going to waste – by foraging and gleaning local farms and fields.

Taking Root, a project of Stanley Road-based Regenerus, has received almost £8000 from the Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority Community Fund for The Big Community Glean Up – a project which is looking to stop food waste and to ensure good food gets into the hands of those who need it the most.

The word ‘glean’ is an old Celtic word which means to gather or scrape together and refers to the practice of going over the fields after harvest to collect any grain the farmer may have missed. Regenerus are working with the national organisation Feedback Global and farmers in Liverpool City Region, Cheshire and Lancashire to ensure that the produce farms don’t sell isn’t wasted. Instead, with the permission of the landowner or farmer, volunteers are able to pick fresh fruit and vegetables that would otherwise be disposed of or left to rot.

As part of the Big Community Glean Up volunteers are shown how to successfully forage for the food at farms, as well as community gardens and public spaces, then learn about the different ways to preserve and cook the produce at food workshops.

Ruth Livesey, Business Development Manager at Regenerus, said: “So far in November we have gleaned cabbage, cauliflowers, winter veg, onions and pumpkins.  Due to Covid-19 safety restrictions we have had to change our plans a little and go to fields in small groups rather than the minibus of volunteers we originally intended. However, the end result has been the same – the fresh produce we glean is distributed to local residents with the help of South Sefton Foodbank and community organisations back in Bootle where it is eaten and enjoyed.”

Regenerus were awarded the funding in August of this year, however the Covid-19 pandemic has forced various delays in delivery. This means the project has until June 2021 to be completed. By the end Regenerus hope to have rescued over a tonne of food that would otherwise have gone to waste.

Councillor Tony Concepcion, Chairperson of MRWA, said: “The whole idea behind the Community Fund is that there are local groups out there delivering recycling, reuse and waste prevention projects on the ground that we ourselves wouldn’t be able to. Using their knowledge of the subject and local areas they can make a real impact on people’s lives for the better. The Big Community Glean Up by Renegerus is a great example of this.”

Ruth Livesey, Business Development Manager at Regenerus, continued: “We are looking forward to 2021 when we will hopefully be able to take larger groups along to our gleaning expeditions, and bring back lots more fresh food which we will be sharing out at our community cook and eat events.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

  • Photo captions:

MRWA_TAKING ROOT1 – The Taking Root team on a glean at a local farm for cabbages

MRWA_TAKING ROOT2 – Taking Root team volunteer Andrew Craig foraging at an Ormskirk farm for cabbages that may otherwise have gone to waste.

MRWA_TAKING ROOT3 – The Taking Root team with boxes of gleaned cabbages that may otherwise have gone to waste.

  • A spokesperson from Taking Root/Regenerus is available for further comment if requested.
  • Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority is responsible for the disposal of municipal waste on Merseyside. Established in 1986 following the abolition of Merseyside County Council, it is a statutory Authority that works with all the local authorities on Merseyside – Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. MRWA takes a lead in advocating recycling, waste minimisation and safe and effective disposal of waste for Merseyside residents.
  • The MRWA and Veolia Community Fund 2020/21 has seen 15 community groups from Merseyside and Halton share £150,000 to help make the region a cleaner and greener place. The financial support will see the groups help reduce household waste, encourage recycling and resource re-use, and prevent carbon emissions.
  • The MRWA and Veolia Community Fund 2021/22 is anticipated to launch in February 2021.

 

 

Categories

COMMUNITY FUND: It’s good to talk…about food waste

A project to help householders in Liverpool save money and cut food waste is celebrating a funding boost.

Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside has received £8,000 from the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) Community Fund to run the ‘Let’s Speke About Food’ scheme which will see cookery workshops delivered to raise awareness of and help reduce household food waste.

An estimated 140,000 tonnes of food is wasted in the Liverpool City Region each year, a lot of which could still be used. It is this behaviour the project is hoping to change and will look to stop over 12,000 tonnes of food from going to waste.

Cook It classes will teach local residents practical cookery skills. These demonstrations – or cook and eat sessions – will focus on key Love Food Hate Waste messages linked to portion control, batch cooking and storage, Buy What You Eat and Eat What You Buy. Each workshop is focused around the production of a single meal and will be targeted at both cooking for families and for individuals. The workshops will use seasonal produce as well as utilising commonly leftover foods.

It was originally planned that these classes would be delivered in person, however due to Coronavirus and social distancing measures they will now be video recorded for participants to watch in their own time.

The eleven sessions (including two Christmas meals) will be accompanied by a recipe card featuring step by step instructions so participants can cook along as they watch. The videos will be produced and released between now and March 2021.

Groundwork Project Manager Brendan Cassin said: “Learning to cook gives people control over what they’re eating. By using step-by-step recipes householders will be able to cook low cost, healthy meals from scratch. It’s good for them as we are pushing healthy eating messages, and it’s good for the environment.

“We’ve had to change our plans due to Coronavirus but we’re still confident of delivering a great project for the people of South Liverpool and beyond!”

Councillor Tony Concepcion, Chairperson of MRWA, said: “All of our Community Fund schemes have been affected one way or another by Coronavirus, however that isn’t stopping them from delivering wonderful projects.

“Food waste is a big issue with a significant environmental impact – however, projects like Let’s Speke About Food can help have a real positive impact to see that waste reduced.”

As well as being made available for the Cook It video sessions, the 11 recipe cards will also be distributed to all 3700 homes under the management of housing association South Liverpool Homes.

Ends

News to editors:

The attached pictures show Groundwork staff filming a Cook It video session:

MRWA_GROUNDWORK 1 & 3 – Justin Dalrymple (Project Officer) & MRWA_GROUNDWORK 2 – Brendan Cassin (Project Manager).

Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority is responsible for the disposal of municipal waste on Merseyside. Established in 1986 following the abolition of Merseyside County Council, it is a statutory Authority that works with all the local authorities on Merseyside – Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. MRWA takes a lead in advocating recycling, waste minimisation and safe and effective disposal of waste for Merseyside residents.

The MRWA and Veolia Community Fund 20/21 has seen 15 community groups from Merseyside and Halton share £150,000 to help make the region a cleaner and greener place. The financial support will see the groups help reduce household waste, encourage recycling and resource re-use, and prevent carbon emissions.

Categories

WASTE CAN WAIT! Get composting and reduce green waste

The government is advising as many of us as possible to stay home as much as we can in order to help key workers, relieve strain on the NHS and ultimately stop us getting sick.

It’s a difficult time we’re living through, but we can all help each other as family, friends, neighbours and as a community.

With so many of us at home it’s inevitable that household waste will increase, which puts pressure on the waste collection, recycling and disposal network. In addition, carbon associated waste in particular is an added worry in that it has the potential to cause changes to the climate.

So one way we can all help is to keep waste at a minimum.

Get composting!

We’ve already written some advice about keeping household waste down (see link here) and about managing food and reducing food waste (see link here), but here you’ll find information all about composting at home.

Home composting is a great way to keep your garden clippings and your kitchen food waste out of the bin. You can put in all sorts including garden clippings, flowers, fruit peelings, eggshells, tea bags, coffee grounds, ripped up cardboard, tissues.

It is one of the best ways to reduce the amount of waste we produce and lessen carbon emissions – research shows that a third of the contents of the average bin can be composted! (The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations said that if food waste was a country, it would be the third largest emitter of carbon after China and the US (Source: www.fao.org/sustainable-food-value-chains/library/details/en/c/266219/)

Recycling nature

Composting is nature’s own way of recycling. By converting your kitchen and garden waste into compost you will not only reduce the amount of material you’re putting into your household bin, but as a bonus you will also cut the amount of methane and carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere – significant greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

The end product is also a great nutrition feed for your garden and plants and a soil improver!

What can I compost?

A lot of people think that garden waste is the only thing that you can put into your compost bin. But there are actually loads more everyday organic waste items from your home and garden that you can add to enrich your compost.

Things you CAN add to your compost bin include:

Greens:
Gross mowings
Old flowers
House plants
Fruit scraps and peels
Veg scraps and peelings
Nettles
Coffee grounds & filter paper
Tea bags and tea leaves
Spent bedding plants
Comfrey leaves
Rhubarb leaves
Young annual weeds
Pond algae & seaweed

Browns:
Egg shells and boxes
Cereal boxes
Corrugated cardboard packaging
Newspaper
Toilet & kitchen roll tubes
Garden prunings
Dry leaves
Twigs
Hedge clippings
Straw & hay
Wool
Feathers
Ashes from wood
Paper or lumpwood charcoal
Woody clippings
Cotton threads
String (made from natural fibres)
Tumble dryer lint (from natural fibre clothes)
Old natural fibre clothes (e.g. wool)
Vacuum bag contents
Tissues, paper towels & napkins
Shredded confidential documents
Corn cobs & stalks
Pine needles & cones

For a full guide on how to compost at home, please visit www.recyclenow.com/reduce-waste/composting/making-compost which offers advice on how to set up your composter and make the best compost.

Residents from across the Liverpool City Region can purchase a wide range of Home Compost bins and accessories at competitive prices by visiting: www.merseyside.getcomposting.com.

Buy a compost bin for yourself or even buy one for a friend or family member – they make a great present for someone who is looking to cut waste, improve their garden or help the environment.

ENDS

Categories

Mersey community groups secure £150,000 funding to help reduce waste

Fifteen community groups have been awarded a share of £150,000 to help the Liverpool City Region reduce, re-use and recycle more.

The money has come from the Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority and Veolia Community Fund 20/21 which was set up to help support waste prevention, re-use and recycling initiatives.

The fifteen organisations had to bid for the funding which will give them the financial resource to deliver waste-reducing behavioural change projects across the region.

Programmes include cookery clubs to reduce food waste, community recycling hubs, sewing classes and craft clubs, upcycling and restoration of unwanted furniture, clothes recycling and home composting workshops*.

Project applications had to tackle one or more of the four priority household waste materials which have been identified by MRWA as key, namely Food, Plastics, Textiles and Furniture. An analysis of waste in the Liverpool City Region highlighted that a greater amount of these materials could be re-used or recycled. Projects can also include other household waste materials, for example paper, card, metals.

Chairperson of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA), Councillor Tony Concepcion, said: “We know that there are a lot of communities concerned about climate change and sustainable living. Giving groups the opportunity to get involved in looking after their environment can only bring benefits to all and can help us appreciate items as valuable resources rather than something which otherwise might be just thrown away.

“We’ve seen that previous projects have continued to deliver benefits beyond the first year, through their legacy and ongoing impact on behavioural change, and in many cases through new or continuing activities.

“There has been some disruption with the Coronavirus pandemic but we’re confident that these projects will go ahead. I wish them all the best and look forward to seeing the impact they have.”

One organisation to have benefited from the Community Fund in the past is ReStore in St Helens. The shop on Peckers Hill Road in Sutton opened its doors to the public in the winter of 2018 and has again been successful in winning funding this year.

Primarily volunteer run, ReStore refurbishes unwanted furniture while also providing opportunities for the long-term unemployed. Using The Hope Centre’s extensive volunteer network participants are being provided with opportunities to learn DIY and retail skills, giving practical experience of working routines to help gain employment.

The Project Manager at ReStore Julie Waring said: “Our project is preventing valuable and reusable materials from being wasted, while at the same time giving local people practical work skills. I’m absolutely thrilled with the success of the shop, the amount of furniture being rescued and the ongoing support of the community.”

The impact of the 2018/19 Fund saw 12 projects divert 673 tonnes of material from disposal, 26,643 people directly engaged, participation by 50,533 volunteers, and a 1419 tonne reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions.

The successful organisation have got until June 2021 to deliver their projects.

ENDS

 Note to editors

  • Image caption –

MRWA_RESTORE: staff and volunteers outside the ReStore St Helens shop

  • *The successful projects:
  1. Acronym Community Empowerment – From Disposable to Sustainable Fashion: Participants will learn how to make trendsetting bespoke garments out of everyday items, learn sewing techniques and have an opportunity to enter what they have designed, stitched and produced into a Disposable Fashion show to celebrate the project’s achievements. Newly created pieces will be sold or auctioned to fund further green awareness campaigns to widen the project’s impact or donated to support homeless support services.

 

  1. British Dietetic Association – Let’s Get Merseyside Saving: the funding will be used to reduce avoidable household food waste through a series of training clubs, a waste-saving tips pamphlet and a community event.

 

  1. Centre 63 – Remake Yourself: this ongoing programme will continue to provide sewing classes and upcycling furniture workshops while supporting the skill development of young women. It will concentrate on unwanted furniture and textiles and the Centre 63 youth club will be focused on the reuse and recycling of plastic and food waste activities.

 

  1. Changing Communities – ReStore St Helens: The money will be used for staff support at the ReStore shop in Sutton which sees volunteers upcycle donated/unwanted furniture. This is then sold to the general public.

 

  1. Emmaus Merseyside – The Reuse Crafting Courtyard: Emmaus Merseyside is a charity that provides a home, as well as education, training and work to people who have experienced homelessness. Emmaus will build on previous work by creating a reuse courtyard and training their Companions in techniques for safe deconstruction and decommissioning of domestic waste items. They will also engage with local schools and communities to raise awareness of the scale of the challenge of waste reduction and how we can each make a difference.

 

  1. Family Refugee Support Project – Around the World in 80 Dishes: The Family Refugee Support Project (FRSP) provides long-term, specialist psychotherapy and support to refugee and asylum seeking family members in Liverpool. The Around the World in 80 Dishes project would enable FRSP to create cooking classes for all service users run by service users to inform and encourage cooking, reduction of waste and UK seasonal growing.

 

  1. Global Feedback Ltd – Your Food Needs You: a programme of quirky, high-profile food-waste-busting events, pop-up ‘Food Labs’ and urban harvesting days will bring Merseyside communities together to learn about, appreciate and enjoy food, and simultaneously reduce waste.

 

  1. Groundwork – Let’s Speke About Food: a programme of practical cookery sessions, a set of 6 recipes using leftovers, and home composting workshops in South Liverpool will aim to minimise household waste associated with food.

 

  1. Hoylake and West Kirby Sea Cadets – Waste Not Want Not: Two teenage sea cadets will run this waste project which will encourage recycling, reuse and waste prevention at the Hoylake and West Kirby Sea Cadets unit on Grange Road, West Kirby.

 

  1. Liverpool World Centre – 10 Tonne Clothing Channel: This project will reduce the amount of textiles going to waste by raising awareness of textile consumption and waste; enlisting schools in the 10 Tonne Challenge to recycle textiles; engaging 9 schools champions to learn about the textile journey of an individual garment, and create innovative case studies for how to reduce, reuse and recycle.

 

  1. Regenerus – The Big Community Clean Up: This will prevent food waste through engagement with local residents via various activities including a hands on ‘glean’ at a farm or urban forage trip; learning about different ways to freeze / preserve / store produce at practical food workshops; learning to cook and eat that produce together at community meals.

 

  1. United Giving Ltd – United Together: This will look to increase reuse and prevent and reduce waste with a unique “united together” project supporting emergency tenancies and tenants in most need referred by the housing officers of Riverside Housing, social workers and Halton Asylum seekers, Brennan Lodge and numerous other organisations that support the transition of people from homelessness to having their own place to live.

 

  1. Wirral Change Ltd – The Community Reward Scheme: The funding will help to reintroduce a Community Reward Scheme offering incentives for people who recycle. The project will also show people how to up-cycle waste and prevent items from going to waste.

 

  1. Wirral Hospice St Johns – Recycle, Reuse and Relove: The adult hospice aims to encourage more Wirral residents to help reuse and recycle their unwanted and preloved items and generate income for local hospice care.

 

  1. Wirral Youth Zone – Waste Not Want Not @ The Hive: will provide young people who attend The Hive with the knowledge, skills, confidence to cook simple, healthy and well-balanced meals through cooking sessions “challenges” and food shopping. The project wants to ensure young people can learn to cook healthy food on a budget and save money for their family whilst learning and thinking about food and waste as a resource to be valued.

 

 

  • Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority is responsible for the disposal of municipal waste on Merseyside. Established in 1986 following the abolition of Merseyside County Council, it is a statutory Authority that works with all the local authorities on Merseyside – Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. MRWA takes a lead in advocating recycling, waste minimisation and safe and effective disposal of waste for Merseyside residents.

 

  • MRWA operates (via a contract with resource management company Veolia) 14 Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC’s) for householders in the Merseyside area wishing to recycle and dispose of their own waste.

 

  • The MRWA and Veolia Community Fund 2020/21 has seen 15 community groups from Merseyside and Halton receive a funding boost to help make the region a cleaner and greener place. The financial support will see the groups help reduce household waste, encourage recycling and resource re-use, and prevent carbon emissions. Funding total is £151,854.25

 

Members of the media for more information please contact:

 

John Lally

Marketing and Communications Officer

Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority

Direct Dial: 0151 255 2568

John.lally@merseysidewda.gov.uk

General enquiries: 0151 255 1444