Community groups in Sefton have until Sunday 10^th March to apply for a share of £165,000 to make the region a cleaner and greener place.

The funding, available through the Zero Waste Community Fund, is for groups who can reduce household waste, encourage recycling and reuse, and help to prevent carbon emissions. Community and voluntary groups, schools and not-for-profit organisations across the Liverpool City Region are all encouraged to apply.

Funding support

Funding of up to £30,000 is available for projects which cover a minimum of four City Region districts (Sefton, Liverpool, Knowsley, St Helens, Halton and Wirral), and between £1000 and £8000 for projects which take place in one district.

Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services said: “Reducing the amount of general waste and increasing recycling across Sefton is vital. Not only does it help to make Sefton a greener place to live, but it has a huge impact across the wider region.

“Many residents already do their bit at home or when they’re out and about, but this funding will be a significant boost in our efforts to recycle responsibly. If you have any ideas for reusing waste or are already making steps towards recycling as a group, I encourage you to apply for funding which can help you to make a big difference.”

Reuse and recycle

Any applications must include plans for one or more of the five priority household waste materials which the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) has identified as key:

• Waste electrical and electronic equipment
• Food
• Textiles
• Plastics
• Furniture

Previous projects have included recycling guidebooks, cookery clubs to reduce food waste, restoring old furniture for charity and refurbishing unwanted rugs for resale.

Chairperson of Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA), Councillor Catie Page, said: “Giving groups the opportunity to get involved in looking after their environment brings benefits to all and can help us appreciate items as valuable resources rather than something which otherwise might be just thrown away.”

Anyone interested in applying can do so via the MRWA website.

All applications must be received by 11.59pm on Sunday 10^th March. Successful projects should receive the funding by mid-April and will have to deliver their schemes by March 2025.