Category: Uncategorized

Background

Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) is committed to supporting the target of zero waste by 2040. This involves changing behaviours and attitudes and encouraging residents to take actions to help us achieve our goals. Through continued funding, education and partnership, MRWA aims to support this transition whilst stimulating local economy and the development of green initiatives amongst local business and organisations.

Recent research conducted by Defra has found that throughout their lifecycle, reusable nappies generate 25% less CO2, use 97.5% less raw materials, and that the environmental impact of disposal single-use nappies is nine times higher than for that of a reusable nappy. The report also shows that even when factoring in washing nappies and drying nappies, cloth nappies are still the best nappy choice for the environment. Due to these statistics, MRWA would like to commission works within this area.

The Project

For this project, MRWA is looking to commission a local individual or organisation in the development and delivery of a reusable nappy and wipe kit. This can be as a new initiative, redesign or expansion of existing success, and should promote the message of trialling these items to encourage long-term adoption of reusable practices. As this is a research project, partnering organisations will also be required to provide insight and feedback around the user experience and attitudes to help support future project development.

While the design and content of the kit will be decided and proposed by the tenderer, a range of approaches will be accepted if they focus on embracing reuse to educate and encourage the wider community to begin to utilise reuse. Kits must be beginner-friendly and inclusive of all necessary materials to complete a successful trial, alongside resources or workshops to support in their use.

The partner will be fully responsible for the design, sourcing and/or manufacturing of these kits and will be asked to estimate how many kits can be provided within the proposed budget – including distribution and project management, as well as being responsible for monitoring feedback and data around participants through means such as questionnaires, interviews and focus groups. The partner will work alongside MRWA staff to actively promote the project, associated resources, and necessary feedback engaging with local community groups and parenting spaces to increase participation and success.

Sustainable Development Goals

MRWA has prioritised four of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals with regards to its impact from operations and activities. The prioritised goals are:

4.       Quality Education.

11.     Sustainable cities and communities.

12.      Responsible consumption and production.

13.      Climate Action.

It will educate, inform, and raise awareness of the benefits of reuse at home or in communities. It will manage plastic waste where it is produced, influence sustainable communities, and reduce methane emissions which contribute to climate change. Participants will change behaviour and be more responsible about their consumption and the waste they produce.

What will your organisation’s participation involve?

If you would like to be involved in this project, you will work closely with MRWA’s Strategy & Development team to develop and deliver the Reusable Nappies & Wipes project. We are looking to commission a forward-thinking, efficient and sustainable organisation to manage the Reusable Nappies & Wipes project across the Liverpool City Region (LCR). With the intention of gathering evidence about the behaviour of participants with regards to the kit, its usefulness, and its benefits to determine if further distribution, outreach or educational projects could be beneficial.

Taking part

Taking part will involve the following:

Engage with residents and community groups – the partner will communicate and engage with residents and local communities and encourage people to trial reusable products within their own life, fighting stigma and taking away worries around financial investments.

Developing a Reusable Nappy & Wipe kit and relevant resources (either as separate or combined schemes) – the partner will be responsible for:

• Sourcing and designing these kits and their products
• Assessing the resources needed to add to a kit to make the scheme successful – whether these be leaflets, ‘how to’ videos or educational workshops
• Estimate the number of kits, including any logistics (distribution/collection) and project management requirements that could be provided within the budget
• In return for a free ‘kit’, encourage participants to provide feedback and data to support the development of future schemes.

Health & Safety – you will maintain excellent Health and Safety standards throughout the project. You will manage the project on our behalf and mitigate risk.

Help increase reuse at home by:

Creating lendable Reuse kits – you will identify items fit for purpose for each kit. You will propose additional resources to make up a full kit.

Consider sustainability – throughout the project, you should consider sustainability implications and ensure the project is keeping waste production to a minimum.

Devise a promotional and engagement plan – develop a communications and logistics plan to promote the availability of kits and their distribution. Encourage participants to provide date and testimonies for behavioural research.

Produce summary behavioural analysis report – once the Reusable Nappies & Wipes kit has been distributed, the partner will be responsible for following up with participants utilising; questionnaires, interviews, focus groups or any other relevant means to determine participants’ views, whether good or bad, alongside their likelihood to continue long-term. MRWA officers can work to support the development of this evaluation based on requirements.

Please note: This is a commissioned project, rather than a grant scheme. Organisations in receipt of Zero Waste Community Fund support may apply – however, there must be no duplication of participants, activity or outputs between projects.

Project Outcomes

We’re looking for the following outcomes from this project:

• Development and delivery of a complete reusable nappy & wipes kit(s). These kits are to be utilised by the organisation beyond this project, so designing with longevity is essential
• Development and distribution of all necessary resources and materials for both promotion and education with support of MRWA
• Engagement with community organisations and participants across all six areas of the Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, Halton, Wirral and St. Helens)
• A minimum engagement of approximately 40 households, with an aim for this to be evenly spread per district. These figures can be reviewed and adjusted based on the successful tender quotations and price per kit
• Health and Safety risk assessments where relevant 
• Support and monitoring of the project and its participants throughout
• A detailed evaluation of participants, attitudes and behaviour both before and after the scheme, collected through questionnaires, interviews and focus groups. This is a key deliverable to help support future schemes development
• End of project report compiling all of the above.

How your organisation can benefit from taking part in the project 

Help instigate behaviour change – our long-term goal is to achieve zero waste by 2040. You can help us shift from a linear to a circular economy, reduce waste and carbon and address the global challenges we face today and, in the future, including: poverty; inequality; climate change; and environmental degradation. To do this successfully, you will work in partnership and directly engage residents across the LCR.

Embed waste prevention, reduction and reuse thinking within your organisation – expand your organisation’s knowledge of the challenges faced by people locally and internationally with regards to sustainable lifestyles.

Provide opportunities for residents to understand and develop reuse methods – help residents to change their behaviour and attitudes towards reuse and waste, understand the consequences of lifestyle choices and how their actions can support change.

Develop new partnerships and networking links – build up relationships with community groups and other interested organisations.

Provide social value for the LCR communities – there is significant social value in community engagement and supporting individuals to access items that may be outside of their financial means. Reusable products are often the more expensive option and, through free resources, you can help remove these financial barriers.

Funding linked to the Project

We have a total of £20,000 funding available for this project. Funding is split across two financial years; £10,000 during 2026-2027 and £10,000 during 2027-2028, and will follow the authority’s pay-on-completion model.

This funding should be inclusive of all materials, production, delivery, and admin associated with the project. Potential partners will be asked to estimate how many reuseable kits can be provided within this proposed budget with a minimum of 40 households.

We will evaluate each project application individually and will appoint the right organisation to deliver the best overall outcome for the LCR.

When will the project be delivered?

This project will begin July 2026 and end February/March 2028. A detailed timeline of activities is provided below:

Activity Detail:	Dates:
Project tender goes live	3rd July 2026
Meeting requests window closes	24th July 2026
Project tender closes	31st July 2026
Tender applications evaluated	w/c 3rd August 2026
Organisation selected	w/c 10th August 2026
Due diligence	Following acceptance
Project initiation meeting	Following acceptance
Final reports received	March 2028

Evaluating applications

We will score applications received based on:

• 50% Meeting project objectives
• 40% Finance
• 10% Evaluation

How to apply

To apply, please download and complete the application form and send to laura.gilmore@merseysidewda.gov.uk or chauntelle.bowler@merseysidewda.gov.uk by 5pm, Friday 31st July 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact laura.gilmore@merseysidewda.gov.uk or chauntelle.bowler@merseysidewda.gov.uk. 

Background

Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) is committed to achieving the targets of zero waste and zero net carbon by 2040. This involves changing behaviours and attitudes and encouraging residents to take actions to help us achieve our goals.

As we enter unprecedented levels of consumerism with endless stream of new fast-fashion, electronics, and appliances on offer, it’s important to recognise the toll this endless cycle of buying and disposing has on our environment. By providing opportunities for our community to reuse, repair and resource share, we can shift to sustainable solutions before it’s too late.

Launching a Library of Things can help promote sharing, sustainability, and community engagement by providing access to products that don’t see regular use, and reducing the need for individual ownership. This approach saves users money, reduces clutter, and minimizes environmental impact by extending the lifespan of products and reducing production. It also fosters a sense of community by encouraging interaction and skill-sharing among members as they work to host and maintain products. 

The Project

For this project, MRWA is looking to recruit a partnering individual(s) or organisation(s) to develop and host a not-for-profit Library of Things scheme within Liverpool City Region. This scheme should aim to provide the local community with access to items on a lending basis and support the shift away from modern consumerism.  

While MRWA does have specific interest in the extended lifecycle and subsequent reduction of electronic and textile waste, this scheme will be open to reuse in all forms regardless of any priority material focus. Successful examples of libraries nationally have included tools, bikes, formal wear and toys. Schemes can be standalone, but additional outreach, education and repair elements would be beneficial.

Funding will be open to both new and existing projects, but those who are pre-established will be required to evidence ways in which they will develop or advance their existing projects/schemes within their application to ensure that we build on what Liverpool City Region already has to offer as opposed to maintaining “business as usual”.

The partner(s) will be fully responsible for all aspects of the scheme, including:

• Procuring of suitable location
• Establishing staff/volunteers
• Developing a primary focus or area of work
• Procuring and maintaining all lendable stock
• Hosting sessions/events/workshops as appropriate
• Any necessary risk assessments and insurance
• Promotion of the scheme
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Continued legacy and development to maintain the space/scheme long-term

Project Aims 

The aim of this project is to showcase the benefits of adopting a reuse and repair culture through support and education, promoting a shift in behaviour around unnecessary waste practices and reducing the carbon footprint associated with new products.

Sustainable Development Goals

MRWA has prioritised five of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals with regards to its impact from operations and activities. The prioritised goals are:

3.       Good health and well-being.

4.       Quality Education.

11.     Sustainable cities and communities.

12.      Responsible consumption and production.

13.      Climate Action.

This project will support all five goals. It will educate, inform, and raise awareness of the benefits of repair and reuse in communities through skill sharing.

Such projects can contribute to people’s self-esteem, relieve their isolation, and instigate community cohesion. It will promote a shift in the waste hierarchy from throwaway culture to reuse, influence sustainable communities, and reduce emissions associated with new product development which contribute to climate change.

Participants will change behaviour and be more responsible about their consumerism and the waste they produce.

What will your organisation’s participation involve?

If you would like to be involved in this project, you will work closely with the MRWA’s Strategy & Development team to develop and deliver the Library of Things initiative.

We are looking to commission a forward-thinking, efficient and sustainable individual or organisation to launch and manage this scheme, with the intention of gathering evidence about the behaviour of participants with regards to reusing and repairing items, its usefulness, and its benefits to determine if additional projects could be beneficial.

While the base may be in one specific area of the Liverpool City Region (LCR). residents from all six districts should be eligible to access the project.

Taking part

Taking part will involve the following:

Engage with residents and community groups – the partner will communicate and engage with residents and local communities and encourage people to access the Library of Things scheme as suitable.

Health & Safety – you will maintain excellent Health and Safety standards throughout the project. You will manage the project on our behalf and mitigate risk.

Help increase reuse in the region – utilising your experience, you will promote the reuse of library stock within your area, educating others where suitable to recognise the benefits or reuse over new purchases in their everyday life.

Recognising support and equipment needs- you will assess current need in your area and design a scheme to best suit these, listing the equipment and tools needed to support the planned endeavour.

Consider sustainability – throughout the project, you should consider sustainability implications and ensure the project is keeping waste production to a minimum.

Consider longevity – while this fund is available to support with set up and development costs, consider how the project can continue after the funded period. What maintenance costs would exist? Is this a long-term provision or a limited offer?

Devise a promotional and engagement plan – develop a communications and logistics plan to promote the scheme, generate volunteers/participants, and share success stories. Encourage participants to provide photos, videos, and testimonies for MRWA to make social media connections.

Produce summary behavioural analysis report – collect relevant data and feedback from participants around the scheme, whether good or bad, and produce an evaluation of the scheme and lessons learnt. Identify any evidence of changes in behaviour, both disposal and buying.

Provide social value for the LCR communities – as an organisation, we are aiming to embed social value across our activities and will ask you to provide us with specific metric to support the calculation of this.

Project Outcomes

We’re looking for the following outcomes from this project:

• Development and delivery of a community-based library of things with an embedded longevity plan.
• Development and distribution of all necessary resources and promotional materials, with support of MRWA.
• Engagement with community organisations and participants across as many of the six areas of the Liverpool City Region as possible (Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, Halton, Wirral and St. Helens) – we are funding up to three Library of Things schemes, these are place-based projects, each serving a defined locality, but accessible more widely across the LCR
• The development of supporting repair and maintenance work on equipment, when necessary, e.g. pat testing training for electric items, button replacements on clothing
• Health and safety risk assessments where relevant.  
• Support and monitoring of the project and its participants throughout, including evidence and tracking of item numbers, feedback etc.
• Support in embedding social value, and the delivery of data to support its measurement
• Evaluation/end of project report.

Due to the nature of this project and the variety of potential options, MRWA will be offering applicants an opportunity to meet with us prior to applying to discuss project proposals and outcomes to deem the suitability of their project and answer some basic questions.

How your organisation can benefit from taking part in the project 

Help instigate behaviour change – Our long-term goal is to achieve zero waste and carbon by 2040. You can help us shift from a linear to a circular economy, reduce waste and carbon and address the global challenges we face today and, in the future, including poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. To do this successfully, you will work in partnership and directly engage residents across the LCR.

Embed waste prevention, reduction and reuse thinking within your organisation – expand your organisation’s knowledge of the challenges faced by people locally and internationally with regards to sustainable lifestyles.

Provide opportunities for residents to understand and develop repair skills and a continued use mindset – upskill your community and help residents to: change their behaviour and attitudes towards how they view products and waste; understand the consequences of lifestyle choices; and how their actions can support change.

Develop new partnerships and networking links – build up relationships with community groups and other interested organisations.

Provide social value for the LCR communities – there is significant social value in community reuse and repair. The impact of waste collection, disposal and climate change are all costs that are not usually considered when identifying support for all types of community projects. This is changing as more local authorities recognise the importance of social value and are factoring the benefits into public spending.

Funding linked to the Project

This scheme will be spread over two financial years: 2026-2027 & 2027-2028. With up to £6,000 available each year, totalling £12,000 by the end of the project (March 2028).

This funding should be inclusive of any and all materials, production, delivery, and admin associated with the project. Potential partners will be asked to estimate how many items they wish to host and people they will support. Remember, the primary focus of the project is sustainability and reuse – therefore, accessing donated or repaired stock is preferred over new purchases.

Payment will be paid on completion of work; this can be completed in full at the end of the project, or in up to three phased payments based on reaching agreed outputs. We will evaluate each project application individually and will appoint the right organisation to deliver the best overall outcome for the LCR.

When will the project be delivered?

This project will begin September 2026 and end of March 2028. A detailed timeline of activities is provided below:

Activity Detail:	Dates:
Project tender goes live	10th July 2026
Query submission window closes	31st July 2026
Project tender closes	7th August 2026
Tender applications evaluated	w/c 10th August 2026
Organisation selected	w/c 10th August 2026
Due diligence	Following acceptance
Project initiation meeting	Following acceptance
Final reports received	March 2028

Evaluating Applications

We will score applications received based on:

• 50% Meeting project objectives
• 40% Finance
• 10% Evaluation

If no applications are deemed appropriate (minimum scores above 65/100) during evaluation, MRWA reserve the right to re-list this opportunity to ensure the correct partner organisation is allocated for this funding.

How to apply

To apply, applicants must complete this application form.

Any applications or queries linked to your application should be submitted via email to laura.gilmore@merseysidewda.gov.uk or chauntelle.bowler@merseysidewda.gov.uk.

All applications must be submitted by 5pm, Friday 7^th August 2026.

We advise all applicants to reach out and will support all interested parties to ensure the best projects for Liverpool City Region.

Fifteen community organisations across the Liverpool City Region have secured a share of a £165,000 investment to launch innovative waste reduction, reuse, and recycling initiatives.

Delivered through the Zero Waste Community Fund 2026/27 — a partnership between Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA) and Veolia — the funding will empower grassroots projects to tackle high-priority waste including food, textiles, and electronics. These locally-led schemes aim to embed sustainable habits and reduce the region’s carbon footprint by the project deadline in March 2027.

Earlier this year the organisations had to bid for the funding which will give them the financial support to deliver waste-reducing behavioural change projects across the region. The successful projects encompass diverse activities like a travelling textiles education van, cookery classes to reduce food waste, schools assemblies, furniture upcycling workshops and an electronics repair café.

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of MRWA, praised the initiative, saying: “The Zero Waste Community Fund is about turning inspiring ideas into lasting environmental action. We have awarded 15 projects that demonstrate exactly how we can rethink our relationship with ‘waste’ — transforming it instead into a resource for our communities. We eagerly anticipate the results of their hard work as they help us build a cleaner, greener, and healthier region for everyone.”

Project applications had to tackle one or more of the five priority household waste materials which have been identified by MRWA as key, namely Food, Furniture, Electricals, Plastics and Textiles. An analysis* of waste in the Liverpool City Region highlighted that a greater amount of these materials could be reused or recycled.

The impact of the Fund is already evident through previous recipients, such as Crosby-based Mencap Liverpool & Sefton, which in 2023 was awarded £7990 to deliver for the reuse and repair project Fix Up, Look Sharp.

Carolyn McConnell, Chief Executive at Mencap Liverpool & Sefton, said: “Our Fix Up, Look Sharp project used regular workshops to give people the skills and opportunities to reimagine and repurpose clothes, plastics and furniture. We wanted to equip all our participants with the knowledge and inspiration to rescue, repair and repurpose items that could otherwise have been thrown away.

“Our new project Reuse, Recycle and Repair with Mencap builds on previous work and will run workshops around repair and food waste reduction, as well as hosting swap shops to help launch an onsite charity shop. I hope that we can help people to understand the consequences of unnecessary waste so that everyone engaged with the project is motivated to consume more responsibly.”

The fifteen successful 2026/27 organisations have got until March 2027 to deliver their projects.

ENDS

Note to editors

The successful projects:

Project and organisation	Area	Material focus	Project summary
Swap Shop – Vibe Charitable Incorporated Org	Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton & St Helens	Textiles	Working with young people (11-17) across various youth councils to create a travelling textiles project. The core group and van will move across districts offering education sessions linked to fast fashion, second hand clothing, upcycling and sewing skills and hosting swap shops with donated/repaired/upcycled clothing.
Scouting Towards Zero Waste – Merseyside Scouts	Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens & Wirral	Food & Plastic	Food waste skills delivered through trickle down training. Supporting 30 unit leads to learn the skills and access equipment to support up to five sessions in each area.
Waste Not, Dance Lots – Alchemic Kitchen	Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton & St Helens	Food	Large scale educational food sessions providing Disco Chops (active musical cook-alongs) focusing on utilising unwanted to wasted veg stock. As well as a community event day offering apple gleaning utilising unharvested stock for juice, baking and more.
School Uniform & Clothing Reuse Project – Roberts Recycling Ltd	All	Textiles	Pilot Supporting five schools in the reuse and redistribution of uniforms and other textiles, through educational session, assemblies and resources.
St Marks Waste Less Community Programme – St Stephens Gateacre PCE	Liverpool	WEE, Textiles & Food	Ambitious community church project covering multiple reuse/repair and waste reduction projects including  – launch of a monthly repair cafe & lending library, 3 clothing swaps (2 uniforms, 1 coats), and a range of cooking and composting sessions utilising their community garden.
Reuse, Restore & Repair – Lets Talk2Day CIC	Knowsley	Food, Textiles & Furniture	Project focusing on repair and reuse across multiple sessions including repair workshops, sewing skills lessons and food waste workshops. These sessions aim to generate core volunteers or champions to help continue the work long term. Supported by quarterly swap shop events and a final showcase.
Threads for Change – Amber Button Community CIC	Wirral	Textiles	A Wirral based repair and revive workshop focusing on sewing skills, garment altering and care advice to extend product life. As well as two larger swap shop events and a final celebration event.
Reduce and Reuse at Micah – Micah Liverpool	Liverpool	Food & Textiles	Splitting their focus over two areas Micah will offer 8 sewing skills workshops working on repairing and repurposing clothing and home textiles, followed by 10 food waste sessions around utilising ‘waste’ kitchen products and showcasing skills such as batch cooking, freezing and storing.
Waste Less the Eco Way – The Eco Therapy Garden CIC	Knowsley	Food & Textiles	Sessions held at a local community garden focusing on food growing, waste prevention and composting know as from plot to plate. Aswell as hosting textile swap shop and sewing skills sessions, providing repair skills, and sessions on utilising ‘scrap material’ such as reclaimed yarn and wool.
Renew, Reuse & Recycle Waste Wood – Walton Vale Community Shop	Liverpool	Furniture, WEE & Other	Utilising scrap furniture, pallets and wooden boxes in hands on woodwork sessions creating, ornaments, bird boxes and planters. As well as the creation of a scrap library to support future projects.
Switch & Stitch – The Hearth Network	Sefton	Textiles	Offering 6 clothing swaps across Sefton parallel to a 4 hour repair skills session to support those accessing the project. Session will focus on a range of skills from basic stitch to tailoring and upcycling and will be shaped for each venue and the time of year.
Save & Store – The Venus Charity	Sefton	Food	A six month project focusing on food skills around cooking, storage and meal planning to support long term waste reduction.
Sewing Connections CIC	Sefton	Textiles	A sewing specific organisation providing additional days free of charge to the local community to support sewing skills, repair and reuse. Mainly focusing on repair skill sessions and repurposing scrap material into items to donate to charities including mastectomy cushions & IV bags.
Reuse, Recycle and Repair with Mencap – Mencap Sefton & Liverpool	Sefton	Food, Textiles & Other	Building off a 2024/25 project looking to run workshops in their cafe around repair and food waste reduction, as well as hosting 2 swap shops to help launch an onsite charity shop.
Growing Sustainable Futures – Kindling Farm	Knowsley	Food	A local farming co-operative offering a 6 week seasonal growing and cooking course and 6 week furniture repair and upcycling course. Alongside school visits around the food cycling and access to locally grown produce. The project aims to end with a Zero Waste Food Event celebrating season, local food, composting and more.

Image caption: Attached images show the Mencap Liverpool & Sefton project Fix Up, Look Sharp.

*Statistic from Merseyside and Halton Waste Composition Analysis 2021/22

• 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 – Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. MRWA takes a lead in advocating recycling, waste reduction and safe and effective disposal of waste for Merseyside residents.

• MRWA operates (via a contract with resource management company Veolia) 16 Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC’s) for householders in the Merseyside area wishing to recycle and dispose of their own waste.

• The Zero Waste Community Fund 2026/27 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.

Members of the media for more information please contact:

John Lally | Communications and Development Officer

Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority

Funding boost helps Merseyside residents repair, reuse and rethink waste

A community-led project helping local people cut waste, repair everyday items and build sustainable skills is being delivered across Merseyside thanks to backing from the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority’s Zero Waste Community Fund.

The Reclaim & Sustain Project, delivered by the community organisation Friends of Bowring Park, has been awarded £26,920 from the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) & Veolia Zero Waste Community Fund 2025/26 to identify the most effective ways to reduce household waste. The regional initiative is helping Merseyside residents rethink their relationship with waste through a unique “test and learn” approach.

The project has delivered a series of hands-on reuse and repair workshops across Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens and Wirral, supporting residents to reduce waste while learning practical skills. Sessions have ranged from food waste prevention and clothing repair to bicycle maintenance and small electrical repairs.

By engaging residents through workshops, awareness campaigns and practical demonstrations, the project has explored effective ways to increase reuse, repair and recycling while challenging negative perceptions around repair culture. Sessions have included:

Food Waste Prevention: Experimenting with creative ways to use leftovers and proper food storage.

Bicycle Repair: Teaching families how to maintain and fix bikes to promote active, eco-friendly travel.

Clothing Repair: Testing sewing and upcycling techniques to extend the lifespan of garments.

Electrical Repair: Addressing e-waste through small appliance and IT equipment repair sessions.

Oisín Hennessy, Project Manager at Friends of Bowring Park, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with how Reclaim and Sustain has gone and incredibly proud of what the project has achieved. It has meant so much to our team to see local people getting involved, learning new skills and growing in confidence. Seeing the positive impact on families across the region – from saving money to keeping valued items in use – has been really powerful and shows just how important community-led sustainability projects can be.”

A celebration event – the Fix It Festival and Zero Waste Celebration – took place at Bowring Park on Saturday 7 March. The free event showcased the project’s impact and feature repair and reuse workshops including food waste prevention, bike repairs, electrical items and clothes repair, alongside family-friendly activities.

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority, said: “Projects like Reclaim and Sustain show the real difference that community organisations can make when they’re given the resources to deliver locally. By supporting practical repair, reuse and waste prevention activities, this project has helped residents take simple, positive steps to reduce waste while building skills that last. It’s a great example of how the Zero Waste Community Fund helps deliver meaningful environmental and social benefits across our communities.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Image captions:

MRWA_BOWRING_2026A – electricals repair at the Bowring Park Fix It Festival, March 7^th 2026

MRWA_BOWRING_2026B – electricals repair at the Bowring Park Fix It Festival, March 7^th 2026

MRWA_BOWRING_2026C – Project Manager Oisín Hennessy, at the Friends the Bowring Park Fix It Festival, March 7^th 2026

• Friends of Bowring Park is a Registered Incorporated Charity that has operated for 36 years, focusing on community engagement and local heritage.

• The MRWA Zero Waste Community Fund aims to reduce household waste levels and promote waste prevention across the Liverpool City Region.

• Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA): Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority is responsible for the management of household waste in Merseyside and Halton. They are committed to promoting waste reduction, reuse, and recycling through a variety of initiatives, including the Zero Waste Community Fund. www.merseysidewda.gov.uk

Having celebrated a breakout year in 2025, Liverpool City Region will once again be taking part in Repair Week, from Monday 2^nd – Sunday 8th March 2026.

Liverpool City Region Repair Week 2026 – which is being driven through Zero Waste LCR, a behavioural change arm of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) – offers multiple opportunities for residents to repair items, helping to reduce waste and save money.

The weeklong Repair Week celebration arrives following research which has found that the North West of England spends £2 billion on replacing repairable items.

The research, commissioned by ReLondon, also shows that two in three (64%) people in the UK say they have spent around £277 a year replacing items they think could have been repaired. Across the UK, this figure rises to £15 billion spent on replacing items.

First launched in 2020 in London with just 20 events, Repair Week is now in its sixth year and has amassed a growing network of UK locations taking part, with Liverpool City Region joining London, Greater Manchester, County Durham, Belfast and Cardiff.

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority, said: “We want to make fixing the norm, which is why we are glad to be taking part in Repair Week for a second year, making it easier for people in Liverpool City Region to learn skills and access affordable, professional repairs. From hands-on workshops with repair experts to online hacks, Repair Week is all about giving you the confidence to fix, mend, and make things last.”

How to get involved with Liverpool City Region Repair Week

Liverpool City Region Repair Week is all about creating opportunities for residents across Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral to save money and love their belongings for longer.

Residents can discover a range of local repair services – offering fixes for commonly wasted items such as textiles, electricals, furniture, bicycles, musical instruments and more – through The Zero Waste LCR Repair Directory, which is an online map charting each organisation by location.

Also available to explore through a series of short videos are just some of Liverpool City Region’s local repair heroes. As well as biographic featurettes highlighting the amazing work they do in their respective communities, each repair hero offers a practical tip that residents can try at home.

A packed programme of repair events will also take place across Liverpool City Region during Repair Week and beyond. Among the events on offer is a Fix It Festival, presented by Friends of Bowring Park, who are based in Knowsley but work across Liverpool City Region.

Oisin Hennessy, Project Manager at One Day Regen – the organisation behind Friends of Bowring Park – said: “We’re delighted to be a part of Repair Week. Not just to support the week, but to get involved in our own way. The Fix It Festival is an event we’re hosting at Bowring Park on Saturday 7th March with a whole range of activities going on throughout the day that will teach people repair skills, allow them to get those loved, but broken, items fixed for free, meet new people and spend the day out in their community. The event runs from 11am – 3pm. Activities include a sewing class, a clothes swap shop, electronic and IT repairs, bicycle repairs, ‘learn to ride’ guided bike rides, a pizza-making workshop and more!”

Residents from across Liverpool City Region can find out more about the Fix It Festival and sign up to some activities via the Bowring Park website: www.bowringpark.co.uk/fix-it-festival.

Other events planned to take place before, during or after Liverpool City Region Repair Week include repair cafés for residents to get items fixed, as well as workshops and information sessions where people can learn repair skills.

To find out more about Repair Week, visit www.zerowastelcr.com/repair-week-2026 or follow Zero Waste LCR via Instagram, Facebook or X.

More Information about Repair Week

ReLondon are the driving force behind Repair Week, which began life as a London-centric initiative, but is quickly becoming a growing network among UK locations including Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, County Durham, Belfast and Cardiff.

For 2026, organisers at ReLondon have introduced Repair Week’s very own Scouts badge – and it’s not just the Scouts who are repairing more.

The popularity of repairing has seen a significant revival and is on the rise, driven by concerns over the cost of living and what people feel is an increasingly “throwaway” culture.

Key Research

Repair Week’s new research, commissioned by ReLondon, found that people in the UK had repaired around 14 items each in the last year.

The research found that most people are ready to have a go at a whole range of repairs, from changing a plug (48%) to replacing a button (49%). Mending clothes and other textiles are also among the most popular forms of repair (45%):

• 3.4 billion repairs are done to mend clothing or textiles, from sewing a button on to mending a seam
• 66 million plugs have been changed
• 42 million broken headphone ports have been fixed

The research has also revealed that 41million items in the North West of England (6.85 items per person) which could be repaired are being thrown away every year, with textiles and electricals topping the chart for most commonly disposed items.

For those who say they don’t repair their stuff, it’s the lack of skills that are getting in the way. Lots of people learnt to repair from their parents (47%), with online tutorials, TikTok and YouTube also proving very popular (30%). Attending a repair workshop was also considered a great way of learning a new skill and an opportunity to meet new people (52% of those surveyed).

About the research:

The research was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of ReLondon, using a sample of 2,000 nationally representative UK respondents, aged 18+. The data was collected between 09.01.2026 – 12.01.2026. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.

More detailed data is available on request from kateahinton@gmail.com

Girls and young women across Merseyside are taking action on food waste thanks to a project that is teaching practical skills in cooking, growing and composting – helping families save money while protecting the environment.

Guiding Towards Food Waste Zero is a collaborative effort between Merseyside Girlguiding Association and cookery specialists Cook Clean and Green, funded by a £27,050 grant from the Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA) and Veolia Zero Waste Community Fund. Operating across Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, and St Helens, the initiative is aiming to reach nearly 3,500 participants, including 2,000 Guides and 1,000 Brownies.

The project is training up 20 Girlguide leaders to run a series of hands-on workshops with Guides and Brownies. Sessions are focusing on reducing avoidable household food waste through better planning, shopping, storage and cooking, as well as growing food and composting.

Suzanne Mitchell, Partner at the Merseyside Girlguiding Association and founder of Cook Clean and Green, said: “Girls and young women care deeply about climate change and protecting the planet, and this project gives them the practical tools to turn that concern into action. From cooking with leftovers to understanding food labels and composting, we’re helping Guides and Brownies build skills for life while reducing waste at home. We’re excited to work with leaders across Merseyside to inspire a new generation of food waste champions!”

The project is providing recipe packs, waste-saving tips, cooking equipment and small grants to local Guide units, as well as using Girlguiding’s social media channels to spread key messages about reducing food and packaging waste. Participants are being encouraged to become “ambassadors for change” by sharing what they learn with their families and communities.

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of MRWA, said: “Food waste is one of the biggest challenges we face, but it’s also one of the easiest to tackle with the right skills and knowledge. Guiding Towards Food Waste Zero is a fantastic example of how we can empower young people to make a real difference in their homes and communities. By learning how to plan, cook, store and grow food, these Guides and Brownies will help cut waste, save money and support a more sustainable, circular economy across Merseyside.”

The project is expected to divert significant amounts of food from going to waste, with estimated reductions including:

– 146 tonnes of food waste through skills training, growing, and composting

– 56 tonnes of plastic waste by encouraging sustainable shopping habits and effective recycling

The initiative aligns with Girlguiding’s commitment to environmental stewardship and is supporting leaders with training, mentoring and accredited food safety qualifications. In addition to environmental benefits, participants will gain a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene qualification and develop essential life skills in financial management, numeracy, and community engagement.

Ends

Notes to editors:

Attached images show a Train the Trainer event in 2025.

Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA): Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority is responsible for the management of household waste in Merseyside and Halton. They are committed to promoting waste reduction, reuse, and recycling through a variety of initiatives, including the Zero Waste Community Fund. www.merseysidewda.gov.uk

About Merseyside Girlguiding: With a 100-year history in the region, the Association provides girls and young women with a space to discover their potential and make a positive difference in their communities. For more information please visit www.girlguidingmerseyside.co.uk.

Media contact:

John Lally | Communications and Development Officer

Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority | 1 Mann Island, Liverpool, L3 1BP

Office: 0151 255 2568 | Mobile: 07796005401

Email: john.lally@merseysidewda.gov.uk

Community organisations across the Liverpool City Region are being invited to apply for a share of £165,000 to deliver projects that reduce waste and support a more sustainable future.

The Zero Waste Community Fund 2026/27, managed by Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA) in partnership with Veolia, will support community and voluntary groups, social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations to develop initiatives that cut household waste, increase recycling and reuse, and help reduce carbon emissions.

Funding of up to £30,000 is available for projects working across at least four local authority areas in the City Region. Smaller grants, ranging from £1,000 to £8,000, are available for projects focused within a single local authority area.

Councillor Catie Page, Chairperson of Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA), said: “We place huge value on the work of community groups across our region. They are rooted in their communities and play a vital role in driving positive environmental change. By supporting local action on waste, we can protect the environment while helping people better understand the value of resources and the importance of reducing waste.”

Projects must address one or more of MRWA’s five priority household waste streams: waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), food, textiles, plastics and furniture. An analysis of waste in the City Region shows that much more of these materials could be reused or recycled[1]. Projects may also include other household waste materials, such as paper or metals.

Previous projects supported by the Community Fund have included local recycling guides, lending libraries, repair cafés, cookery clubs to reduce food waste and promote healthy eating, fruit and vegetable gleaning schemes, furniture restoration projects for charitable resale, and the refurbishment of unwanted rugs for reuse.

Among the local initiatives which have benefitted from the Zero Waste Community Fund is the Syrian British Cultural Centre CIC. Their project, ‘From Waste to Creativity: Empowering Communities through Recycling and Innovation,’ was awarded £26,000 in 2025/26 to champion sustainable practices across the Liverpool City Region. By engaging schools and community hubs through an Eco Innovation Lab and a Green Entrepreneurship Academy, the project is driving lasting behavioural change. Their work focuses on high-impact areas such as textile repair, furniture and appliance refurbishment, and household food waste reduction.

Malik Al Shhadat, General Manager at the Centre, said: “Our From Waste to Creativity project has encouraged people to rethink waste by showing them how to reduce, reuse, and recycle in practical and creative ways. Through workshops, awareness campaigns, and educational resources, our aim has been to make sustainable waste management a natural part of everyday life.

“Activities have engaged a diverse group of participants from various ethnic and national backgrounds, including British, Asian, Arab, Kurdish, and African communities – reflecting the multicultural fabric of the Liverpool City Region.”

Interested groups can apply to the 2026/27 Community Fund at www.merseysidewda.gov.uk.  

The deadline for submissions is 12.00pm Tuesday 10^th March 2026.

Successful projects should receive the funding by May 2026 and will have to deliver their schemes by March 2027.

Organisations interested in this year’s Community Fund can:

• Apply online at https://www.merseysidewda.gov.uk/zero-waste-community-fund/

• Contact the Authority:

Community.fund@merseysidewda.gov.uk   

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS:

12.00pm Tuesday 10^th March 2026

ENDS

Note to editors

Image captions: attached pictures show a waste reuse workshop at the Syrian British Culture Centre CIC, Liverpool, December 2025.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    [1] Merseyside and Halton Waste Composition Analysis 2021/22

• The £165,000 comes from the Zero Waste Community Fund 2026/27, which has been running annually since 2006.

• The impact of the 2024/25 Fund saw 16 projects stop 754 tonnes of materials from going to waste, held 763 events and training sessions, and engaged with over 8000 people across the Liverpool City Region.

• The Zero Waste Community Fund is open to community and voluntary sector groups, faith groups, not for profit social enterprises and schools in Merseyside and Halton.

• 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.

A region-wide scheme is helping parents reduce household waste and save money by making the switch to reusable nappies and wipes.

The Reusable Nappies & Wipes Project, led by Sustainable Starts CIC (formerly Liverpool Cloth Nappy Library), has used funding from the Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA) to help support up to 30 families to trial reusable options and learn more about low-waste parenting.

The project has been attempting to tackle the thousands of tonnes of disposable nappy waste generated in the region annually by offering accessible, low-cost trials of reusable alternatives. Reusable nappies can significantly cut household waste. Sustainable Starts estimates that if every baby under two in the region used just one reusable nappy a day, more than 2,000 tonnes of waste could be prevented annually.

Through the initiative, families in Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral have access to “satellite nappy libraries.” These hubs offer mini-starter kits containing a variety of reusable nappy brands designed to be easy to use, along with a free pack of reusable wipes to keep.

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority, said: “We are delighted to support Sustainable Starts through this project. Disposable nappies are a significant contributor to household waste in our region, and they can take hundreds of years to decompose. By supporting community-led initiatives like this, we are empowering residents to make small changes that have a massive collective impact on our environment. This project is a fantastic example of the circular economy in action—reducing waste while supporting local families.”

The project addresses common barriers to using reusable nappies, such as the initial cost and confusion over different types. The hired kits are curated to “minimise overwhelm,” featuring popular, user-friendly brands. Families receive support through antenatal workshops, “nappuccino” information sessions, and an online portal available 24/7.

Hannah Shanderson, Director of Sustainable Starts CIC, said: “Our guiding philosophy is ‘Changing The World One Change At A Time.’ We know that switching to reusables can feel daunting for new parents, which is why we’ve designed these mini-kits to be as simple and stress-free as possible. Even swapping just one disposable nappy a day makes a difference. We are thrilled to provide support to families in every borough of the city region.”

Following their trial, families can choose to hire a larger “birth to potty” kit or purchase a pre-loved starter kit for just £25, ensuring the habit remains affordable and sustainable long-term.

The scheme runs until March 2026.

For more information on how to hire a kit or find your nearest satellite library, contact Sustainable Starts at sustainablestartscic@gmail.com.

ENDS

Local waste officials are calling on people to help prevent fires by recycling their broken festive lights, batteries and other FastTech gifts this Christmas.

Authorities across the Liverpool City Region are working with Recycle Your Electricals to encourage residents to join the ‘Stop Battery Fires’ campaign, which sets out to encourage the recycling of batteries and electrical gifts as part of an effort to reduce the surge of fires in the waste stream.

The campaign comes as it is revealed that binned battery-powered fairy lights alone stretch to the equivalent of just over seven Santa trips around the globe (1).

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority, said: “Many ‘FastTech’ or light-up electrical items are powered by batteries which, if end up in the wrong bin, get crushed and damaged in bin lorries, waste transfer stations and Recycling Centres, sparking dangerous fires that put firefighters and waste workers at serious risk. All of the region’s Household Waste Recycling Centres accept batteries, as do the majority of supermarkets, so we’d encourage people to dispose of them responsibly.”

The Recycle Your Electricals campaign has found that 1.1bn of all types of electricals and 449.9m loose volatile batteries have been binned – each a potential fire waiting to happen (2).

In the UK, there were over 1,200 battery fires during 2023/24, an increase of 71% in 2022 – with many taking place in bin lorries, waste transfer stations and Recycling Centres as a result of batteries and electricals being binned or incorrectly recycled (3).

Since January 2024 there have been 155 fires at the MRWA/SUEZ Rail Transfer Loading Station in Kirkby, Knowsley – 61 in 2024 and 94 in 2025 so far (pictured below).

Steve Patterson, Processing Managing Director at SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, said: “A fire in one of our waste facilities is one of the things that we dread the most. A battery can go from nothing to a full-blown blaze in seconds, putting not just the facility but our teams at risk. With the rise in FastTech, and particularly at this time of year, it’s really important that the message to not put batteries or electrical items in waste or recycling bins becomes more widespread.”

Niamh McBride, Local Authority and Environmental Partnerships Manager at Material Focus, the not-for-profit behind the Recycle Your Electricals campaign, says: “When recycling any electrical item, if you can, make sure the battery is removed from the item. And then take your electricals and batteries to your nearest recycling point which you can find by searching up recycle your electricals and using our Postcode Locator. Most importantly, never bin your old batteries and electricals – always recycle them separately from household recycling or rubbish, to keep fire services, waste crews and local communities safe.”

When electricals are properly recycled, valuable resources including copper, lithium, gold and nickel, can be reused and recycled into new items such as mobile phones, laptops, smart watches, clean energy and even medical equipment.

It’s now easier than ever to recycle broken and unused electricals using Recycle Your Electricals’ Postcode Locator – https://www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/electrical-recycling-near-me/. Just enter your postcode to find your nearest repair, donation or recycling point which has over 30,000 locations across the UK.

Visit www.recycleright.org.uk for local recycling advice in Liverpool City Region.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Attached images and linked videos show fires at the MRWA/SUEZ Rail Transfer Loading Station in Kirkby, Knowsley – https://we.tl/t-7Cbj8B4uQr

(1) Christmas Research Lights research methodology:

● Desk research to Jackson’s Nurseries, the most common heights of Christmas Trees in the UK are 5–6 ft (150–175 cm) and 6–7 ft (175–200 cm). We took an average of 6ft.

● Desk research from Ideal Home showed that 15m is the recommended length for a 6ft tree.

● Desk research from Universe Today showed the route around the globe was 40,075,017 meters.

● To work out the number of battery powered fairy lights, this took the total number of hanging/string/fairy lights bought in the last year from the Opinium research conducted for Material Focus, titled Christmas Fastech: 39,145,582.

● To work out the number of these lights that were battery-powered, we used the result from the same research that showed that 49.3% of light-up Fastech was battery powered.

● The calculation was then executed as follows:

o 39,145,582 light-up fairy lights x 0.493 = 19,298,772 battery powered lights.

o Battery powered lights x average length = 19,298,772 x 15 = 289,481,578.9

o Total length of lights / length of route around the globe = 289,481,578.9 / 40,075,017 = 7.2

(2) Opinium research conducted for Material Focus. Battery Recycling research, 2nd – 5th April 2024 amongst a nationally-representative sample of 4000 UK adults. For more details, visit: https://www.materialfocus.org.uk/?press-releases=over-1200-battery-fi res-in-bin-lorries-and-waste-sites-across-the-uk-in-last-year

(3) Local authority research conducted by Material Focus – for full methodology see below.

Report comprises:

● Opinium research conducted for Material Focus. Titled Christmas Fastech, dated 25th – 28th September 2025. A nationally-representative sample of 4,000 UK adults was weighted to be representative of UK adults (18+) on age and gender, region, working status, and social grade.

● Opinium research conducted for Material Focus. Titled FastTech – State of the Nation 2025, dated 20 March – 30 March 2025. A nationally-representative sample of 4,000 UK adults was weighted to be representative of UK adults (18+) on age and gender, region, working status, and social grade.

● Opinium research conducted a study from 2nd to 5th April 2024. A sample of 4,000 UK adults was selected to ensure a representative distribution across key demographic factors such as age, gender, region, and socio-economic status.

● Battery Fire research with local authorities. (Methodology below)

● Recycling information provided by Material Focus

Christmas Research Lights research methodology:

● Desk research to Jackson’s Nurseries, the most common heights of Christmas Trees in the UK are 5–6 ft (150–175 cm) and 6–7 ft (175–200 cm). We took an average of 6ft.

● Desk research from Ideal Home showed that 15m is the recommended length for a 6ft tree.

● Desk research from Universe Today showed the route around the globe was 40,075,017 meters.

● To work out the number of battery powered fairy lights, this took the total number of hanging/string/fairy lights bought in the last year from the Opinium research conducted for Material Focus, titled Christmas Fastech: 39,145,582.

● To work out the number of these lights that were battery-powered, we used the result from the same research that showed that 49.3% of light-up Fastech was battery powered.

● The calculation was then executed as follows: o 39,145,582 light-up fairy lights x 0.493 = 19,298,772 battery powered lights.

o Battery powered lights x average length = 19,298,772 x 15 = 289,481,578.9

o Total length of lights / length of route around the globe = 289,481,578.9 / 40,075,017 = 7.2

Battery Fire research with local authorities methodology:

In 2024, Material Focus sent a survey to local authorities across the UK. Material Focus asked local authorities if they had experienced any fires caused by crushed or damaged batteries in the waste stream and any further details they could give. 77 local authorities responded to the survey, stating that 242 fires had occurred. This equates to an average of 3.14 fires per local authority area. This number was then averaged across the 382 local authorities in the UK to over 1,200 fires. Out of the 53 areas who responded to the detailed survey, 50 of those surveyed said that fires are increasing, equalling 94%.

About Material Focus and Recycle Your Electricals

Material Focus is a not-for-profit organisation whose goal is to stop the nation throwing away or hoarding all their old, small electricals. Material Focus is delivering the UK-wide Recycle Your Electricals campaign. The campaign is revealing the value hidden in electricals and is making it easier for us all to recycle and reuse the small electricals we no longer need by providing more recycling points as well as providing practical information on how households can reuse and recycle. The campaign is funded by producers of electrical appliances which pays for a range of activities, including communications, behaviour change activities, increased recycling projects and research. Ultimately the aim is to support actions that will help the UK increase the levels of reuse and recycling of waste electricals.

About MRWA

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 Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral councils. MRWA takes a lead in advocating recycling, waste prevention and the safe and effective disposal of waste for Merseyside residents. www.merseysidewda.gov.uk

About SUEZ recycling and recovery UK

SUEZ recycling and recovery UK employs more than 7000 people, operating across hundreds of sites (including MRWA’s Kirkby Rail Transfer Loading Station and Wilton EfW), and handles approximately 11 million tonnes of waste materials every year – a significant proportion of the UK’s total waste. Through collection, treatment, recycling and logistics operations, it serves more than 30,000 business customers and millions of householders throughout the country. Please visit https://www.suez.co.uk to find out more.

A community project in Speke has secured a £7,842 grant to help residents reduce food waste, learn vital cooking skills, and promote environmental sustainability.

The “Mint Meals, Minus Waste” project, led by Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside, will be delivered in partnership with South Liverpool Homes and its food pantry, ‘The Market Place’.

The supporting grant has been awarded through the Zero Waste Community Fund 2025/26 which is managed by Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority and Veolia. The Fund aims to increase reuse, waste reduction, recycling, and sustainability across the region.

This project will take a practical, community-oriented approach to improving food-related skills. It aims to reduce household food waste across south Liverpool by increasing awareness of its environmental and economic impacts and promoting sustainable consumption practices. Residents will benefit from a range of activities delivered at Groundwork’s ‘Grow Speke’ project site and The Market Place. Workshops and shared resources will focus on:

Smart shopping and meal planning
Effective food storage and understanding date labels
Healthy cooking and appropriate portion control
Inventive ways to use leftovers, including monthly “Cook and Eat” sessions
Community composting workshops
A new community fridge will also be established at Grow Speke to encourage the redistribution of surplus food within the community.

“We are thrilled to launch ‘Mint Meals, Minus Waste’ in partnership with South Liverpool Homes,” said Jon Hutchinson, Director at Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. “This funding allows us to connect directly with residents at trusted community hubs like Grow Speke and The Market Place. By sharing practical tips on everything from meal planning to composting, we can empower families to reduce food waste, save money, and make a positive environmental impact right here in Speke.”

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority, said: “Preventing waste is a key priority for the Authority, and food waste is a major contributor to climate change. The ‘Mint Meals, Minus Waste’ project is a fantastic, grassroots initiative that addresses this challenge head-on. By supporting Groundwork, the Zero Waste Community Fund is investing in practical education that changes daily habits. This project will not only help reduce food waste but will also build a more resilient and environmentally conscious community.”

The project will directly engage with over 360 residents through its workshops and pantry discussions, with information also reaching thousands more tenants across South Liverpool.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Image caption – Volunteers and participants from Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside, Squash Nutrition and MRWA at a cookery skills event in Speke, Liverpool, on Friday 14th Nov, 2025

About the organisations:

Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside: A registered charity dedicated to creating greener, stronger, and healthier communities by improving local environments and supporting residents.
Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA): Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority is responsible for the management of household waste in Merseyside and Halton. They are committed to promoting waste reduction, reuse, and recycling through a variety of initiatives, including the Zero Waste Community Fund. www.merseysidewda.gov.uk

Media contact:

John Lally | Communications and Development Officer
Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority | 1 Mann Island, Liverpool, L3 1BP
Office: 0151 255 2568 | Mobile: 07796005401
Email: john.lally@merseysidewda.gov.uk