Merseyside and Halton organisations have the chance of receiving part of a £115,000 fund to reduce the amount of waste in their areas.
Community, voluntary and faith groups, schools and not-for-profit organisations who want to make the North West greener, all have the opportunity of receiving a percentage of the money.
The types of schemes or projects can involve reducing household waste, encourage recycling and resource reuse and preventing carbon emissions. They must also tackle one or more of the priority household waste materials, which are food, plastics, textiles and furniture.
Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) Chief Executive, Carl Beer, told JMU Journalism: “Last year we had over 50 applications so we know that ideas for projects are out there, as is the appetite to improve the lives of Merseyside people and the local environment we live in.
“We’re always delighted with the range and breadth of ideas for preventing, reusing and recycling waste people come up with every year when applying for funding. Hopefully this year will be no different.”
The accepted groups can be awarded up to £25,000 for schemes that operate across districts of Merseyside and Halton. Projects covering one local authority level can receive up to £8,000.
YouTube: Merseyside RWA
The waste prevention fund will be given out by MRWA and Veolia Community Fund 2019/20.
Chairperson of MRWA, Councillor Tony Concepcion, said: “We’ve made this money available for new and existing projects which can have an impact on their local community and make Merseyside and Halton a cleaner and greener place for us all to live and work.
“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.”
Last year’s scheme saw 1,222 tonnes of waste material diverted from landfill and a 1,181 tonnes reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions.
Groups interested need to submit a form to MRWA by January 4th. After this, a number of the applicants will be shortlisted and move on to stage two.
On Thursday, MRWA is holding a workshop in Liverpool for interested groups who would like advice.