Archives: News & Views

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

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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 https://www.merseysidewda.gov.uk/zero-waste-community-fund/

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

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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 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.

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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

Community groups and organisations celebrated their respective shares of £55,100 awarded through the 2025 Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund to support projects that enhance local wellbeing, improve the environment and support the community.

Representatives from each group recently came together at Tower Hill Community Hub in Kirkby to celebrate their success and share ideas. The hub, which was itself supported by the fund in previous years, has grown into a valued local space for collaboration and community support. The event gave this year’s recipients the chance to connect, exchange experiences and explore ways to work together.

The annual fund provided by Merseyside Energy Recovery Ltd (MERL) in partnership with SUEZ recycling and recovery UK (SUEZ), supports a wide range of initiatives from youth engagement and sport to mental health support and sustainable food projects.

Since launching in 2018, the fund has now invested £445,700 in local community projects across Northwood, Cherryfield, Shevington, Whitefield and Prescot North, helping to deliver lasting benefits for thousands of residents.

This year, funding has been awarded to 13 local groups and organisations selected for their commitment to making a real difference for Kirkby residents:

• Tower Hill Youth FC (£2,000) – Sporting Solutions. Affordable weekly football sessions with tactical training, breathwork and meditation, promoting healthy lifestyles and teamwork for children who may otherwise face barriers to participation.
• Tower Hill Community Hub (£4,600) – The Community Network. Weekly workshops offering financial advice, skills development, employability support, and social activities to help residents build resilience, confidence and community connections.
• Positive Futures (£9,900) – Targets Support Service. One-to-one and group support sessions for young people across Kirkby, delivered in accessible, youth-friendly spaces, to improve wellbeing and reduce social isolation.
• Southdene Community Association (£3,600) – Smart Steps Programme. Financial health and wellbeing sessions to help families and vulnerable groups manage money effectively, reduce stress and build confidence through practical advice and peer support.
• Evolving Mindset (£2,500) – Kirkby Men’s Wellbeing Club. Thirty weeks of free weekly sessions combining physical activity with mental health support, tackling social isolation and promoting healthier lifestyles for over 100 local men.
• Mind Connect (£3,100) – Mind Connect Community. A wellbeing membership scheme offering group sessions, coaching, online support and community events to reduce mental health inequalities and social isolation through early intervention.
• FC Kirkby (£2,600) – Heads Up Project. Weekly inclusive football and peer support sessions to help men build confidence, connect socially and improve mental health in a relaxed, pressure-free environment.
• The Eco Therapy Garden (£1,600) – Healthy Food Hub Project. Subsidised healthy food, cooking demonstrations and seed growing to tackle poor nutrition and provide affordable, nutritious options for families and older residents.
• Sports Alive North West (£4,300) – Kirkby Youth and Play Project. STEM-focused kart-building and train station art initiatives to inspire creativity, teamwork and environmental awareness among young people media
• Me2U (£2,200) – Memories and Support. Fortnightly sessions for individuals and families following a dementia diagnosis, offering therapeutic activities, practical guidance and peer support to promote a “live well with dementia” ethos.
• The CELLS Project (£5,500) – Youth Club: Staffing, training and inclusive programming to provide a safe, creative youth space, including learning-disability training and coordination.
• Apollo Active (£8,600) – Sports in the Parks: 52 outreach sessions at Webster Park and Knowsley Lane recreation Ground, combining multisport activities, mentoring and pathway to accredited coaching qualifications.
• Centre 63 (£4,600) – Growing Garden: Transforming an outdoor area with an accessibility ramp, vertical growing wall and communal beds – creating an inclusive, social, food-growing space that reduces isolation.

The Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund was established as part of an agreement between MERL, which treat the residual waste from across Merseyside and Halton, and Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA). SUEZ is one of the shareholders in MERL and the operator of Knowsley rail loading transfer station, where the residual waste is compacted onto rail containers to be sent on to an energy from waste facility to generate electricity.

Victoria Crabtree, Regional Manager at SUEZ, said: “It is always fantastic to see the dedication of local groups and the positive impact of their work. We are proud to continue supporting these initiatives, which bring communities together and deliver lasting benefits for residents across Kirkby. We look forward to receiving more applications when the fund reopens next Spring.

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority, said “We recognise the incredible dedication of local groups in meeting the needs of their communities, and we are delighted this funding will provide a welcome boost to their services. It is always wonderful to hear of the local projects and initiatives helped by the Fund, and I look forward to seeing their progress.”

To learn more about the journey of Merseyside and Halton’s household waste, local schools and community groups are invited to book a visit to the Rail Transfer Loading Station in Knowsley, where they can explore how residual waste contributes to sustainable energy generation.

The Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund is open to applications from non-profit, constituted groups, and local schools, dedicated to community and environmental progress in the Kirkby area.

 

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Local not-for-profit organisation Earth Moves has launched an innovative environmental project to transform four acres of land into a biodiverse and regenerative community space.

The project will use a permaculture technique called hügelkultur to divert over four tonnes of local food waste, cardboard, and paper annually, turning it into nutrient-rich soil. Hügelkultur is a gardening technique where raised beds are created by planting on mounds made from decaying wood, cardboard and other compostable materials.

Based in Wallasey, the community-driven initiative aims to provide a tangible, low-cost solution to climate change while empowering local residents to take practical action in changing waste habits by learning composting skills they can use at home. Over a 12-month timeline, the project will engage the community through a series of hands-on activities, workshops, and educational outreach programs. Key objectives include preventing waste, increasing soil fertility, and creating an educational model that other communities can replicate.

The project has received £7698 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 is a critical intervention in times of environmental crisis,” said Paula Staunton, Project Lead and Director at Earth Moves. “By turning waste into a resource, we’re not just regenerating the land; we are building a resilient, informed, and empowered community that can take meaningful action against climate change.”

The project is aiming to directly engage with over 800 people, including local residents and businesses, and will generate an estimated 5,200 volunteer hours. Volunteers will receive training in sustainable practices like composting and permaculture, with support provided for expenses and mentoring.

Earth Moves recently (October 11th) held a hands‑on workshop on the site, where visitors were shown how to turn waste cardboard into a no‑dig meadow — a simple, eco‑friendly method suitable even for smaller garden patches. Using reclaimed cardboard, they demonstrated how to suppress weeds, build healthy soil, and prepare the ground for wildflowers and grasses without the need for digging or chemicals.

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of MRWA, said: “Projects like this one are crucial in delivering useful information directly to residents and helping make positive changes in behaviour. We’re really looking forward to seeing how it develops.”

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Charities and community organisations across Kirkby, Merseyside, are invited to apply for a share of £50,000 from the Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund, which is now open for 2025 applications.

The fund, which launched in 2018, supports wellbeing and environmental projects within the communities of Northwood, Cherryfield, Shevington, Whitefield, and Prescot North. The initiative is linked to the Knowsley Rail Transfer Station, operated by SUEZ recycling and recovery UK on behalf of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA).

Victoria Crabtree, Regional Manager at SUEZ, said: “We are proud to continue supporting Kirkby’s incredible range of community groups. The projects funded last year have had a real, visible impact—from improving mental health and fitness to tackling food waste and building stronger communities. We are excited to see what this year’s applicants will bring forward and encourage all eligible organisations to apply.”

The fund is part of an ongoing agreement between Merseyside Energy Recovery Limited (MERL)—of which SUEZ is a shareholder—and MRWA. For every tonne of household residual waste transported from the transfer station, 10p is donated to the fund. It is an integral part of putting people and the planet at the forefront of the local communities that we serve.

In 2024, 11 projects were awarded funding, benefitting thousands of Kirkby residents. Successful applicants included:

• Kirkby Milers AC for a youth fitness and wellbeing initiative.
• Kindred LCR, which established a women-led community hub.
• Knowsley Foodbank, which launched a circular food-growing project with greenhouses and chickens.
• Mind Connect, offering free mental health hubs and education sessions.
• Tower Hill ABC, which expanded its boxing club and built a hub for elderly residents.
Councillor Catie Page, Chairperson of MRWA, said: “It’s brilliant to see how this fund continues to support the people of Kirkby. Local groups do so much to bring communities together, and MRWA is proud to be part of something that helps them grow, thrive, and make a real difference where it matters most.”

Not-for-profit groups, charities, and community organisations operating in the eligible areas are encouraged to apply for funding.

The deadline for 2025 applications is Friday 25 July 2025.

Those interested in applying are invited to attend an Open Day on Wednesday 25 June 2025, where they can meet the team, ask questions, and get guidance on submitting a strong application.

Further information, application guidance, and stories from last year’s recipients can be found at:
www.suezmerseyside.co.uk/kirkbyfund

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About SUEZ recycling and recovery UK
SUEZ recycling and recovery UK employs more than 7000 people, operating across hundreds of sites, 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.

Contacts:

Samantha Carty
Email: samantha.carty@suez.com
Mobile : 07870540576

An investment of £165,000 from the Zero Waste Community Fund 2025/26 will enable twelve community groups in the Liverpool City Region to spearhead efforts in waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.

This funding, a partnership between Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA) and Veolia, will fuel grassroots initiatives designed to foster sustainable habits among local residents.

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 educational workshops for schools, electrical repair hubs, food waste reduction cookery classes, clothes and textile upcycling, furniture restoration, and community food growing and composting schemes.

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of MRWA, praised the initiative, saying:

“The Community Fund is instrumental in enabling local groups to become environmental leaders, ultimately contributing to a healthier region. It’s heartening to see a growing appreciation for the value of our natural resources. The inspiring and diverse ideas presented this year made for a tough selection, highlighting the dedication within our communities. We know these projects have the potential to create lasting change and embed positive habits.

 

“We wish them all the very best and eagerly await the results of their hard work.”

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.

One project which previously received funding in 2024/25 is the youth-led initiative Feed the Need, supported by Vibe UK, who have been running food waste reduction and educational programmes for young people thanks to the Community Fund (picture below).

 

Helen McGorrin, Area Manager of Vibe UK, said:

“We were honoured to support our young people from St Helens Youth Council to lead on this project, using the Community Fund to give young people the knowledge, tools and confidence to make informed decisions when it comes to reducing their food waste. The project has helped young people better understand the role they play and how they can support their families and the wider community to reduce food waste.

 

“The funding helped us to run peer led workshops, create an educational video and challenge book, and strengthened relationships in the community. We rescued and redistributed food and shared resources including shopping lists, meal planning sheets and reusable containers as physical ways to support people to make improvements by careful planning to reduce overspending/shopping and utilising leftovers. This is really embedding generational change in young people that will stay with them for many years beyond the project.”

The twelve successful 2025/26 Zero Waste Community Fund organisations have got until March 2026 to deliver their projects. More information about each project is included below.

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

Organisation and Project	Material focus	Project Summary
The County of Merseyside Guide Association                                           Guiding towards Food Waste Zero	Food and Plastic	A collaboration between the Guiding Association and a food skills expert – training Guide and Brownie Leaders across Merseyside in practical skills like reducing food waste through improved cooking, growing food, and composting, aiming to influence positive changes at home.
D HUB 67 C.I.C.  Full Circle Project	Food, Plastic, and Textiles	The project will establish a community garden to grow food and enhance biodiversity. This produce will then be used to showcase cooking skills in creative and healthy meals, while also demonstrating proper food storage and preservation methods. Additionally, community swap events for textiles will be organised, with any surplus materials being repurposed and repaired into useful items.
Earth Moves     Earth Moves	Food	The project will actively involve local people through hands-on workshops and the creation of a Hügelkultur bed using organic waste. This process will be carefully documented, and accessible resources will be developed to inspire and enable local schools, community members, and environmental groups to replicate this sustainable gardening technique.
Faiths4Change      Transforming Throwaways to Treasures	Food, Plastic, and Textiles	This project contributes to the region’s climate change strategy by facilitating practical sustainable activities, notably reuse and repair workshops tailored for young adults. A final event will be held to disseminate the project’s findings and explore potential avenues for building upon its successes.
Friends of Bowring Park                                        Reclaim & Sustain Project	Food, Textiles, and Electricals	Building on the success of the previous ‘Fix-it’ pilot, this project will scale up and replicate its model across various Liverpool communities, employing diverse approaches to repair and reuse. Activities will include a range of workshops focusing on food waste prevention, bike repair, clothing reuse and repair, and electrical item repairs, alongside awareness campaigns and accessible resources. These efforts will be supported by a Fix-it Festival and a Zero Waste celebration, showcasing repair activities and offering drop-in repair services.
Friends of South Park Let’s Grow! Not Throw!	Food, Furniture, and Plastic	The project will foster skills development and create employment opportunities for the local community and volunteers through practical training in woodwork, cooking, upcycling, and community composting & gardening.
Forum Creative   Enterprise Charity      Waste to Taste	Food and Plastic	This initiative will empower young adults in Liverpool who have been homeless by equipping them with crucial independent living skills, including practical cooking abilities, knowledge of balanced nutrition and food management, and valuable skills in composting and growing their own food.
Groundwork Merseyside      Mint Meals, Minus Waste	Food	This project, in partnership with South Liverpool Homes, will take a practical and community-oriented approach to improving food-related skills. Through workshops and shared resources, residents will learn about smart shopping, effective planning, optimal food storage, healthy cooking, appropriate portioning, and inventive ways to use leftovers. Community composting will also be a key element.
Hazelhurst Studios   Runcorn Repair Cafe	Furniture, Plastic, Textiles, and Electricals	The project will establish a monthly repair café and a community PAT testing service, empowering local residents with practical repair skills through guidance from local specialists. A media campaign will raise awareness and reinforce key messages. The project will culminate in a community event showcasing its successes and facilitating future planning.
Squash Liverpool CIC                                          TREASURE – Food and Textiles for Real	Food and Textiles	Empowering young adults to make informed choices about fast food and fashion, this educational program will cultivate skills in growing, cooking, managing, and preserving food. It will also teach valuable techniques for clothing repair and reuse. Learning will be brought to life through interactive training workshops, impactful large-scale community events across Liverpool City Region, and enriching visits to local community projects.
Syrian British Cultural Centre CIC                                        From Waste to Creativity: Empowering Communities through Recycling and Innovation	Food, Furniture, Textiles, and Electricals	This project will champion responsible waste management throughout the Liverpool City Region, engaging schools and community centres. Key activities include an Eco Innovation Lab, a Recycle & Repair Programme, a Green Entrepreneurship Academy, and impactful events designed to foster lasting behavioural change. The project aims to significantly reduce textile waste through repair and reuse workshops, extend the lifespan of furniture and electrical appliances via refurbishment initiatives, educate communities on effective food waste reduction techniques, and promote the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives.
Willowbrook Hospice Willowbrook Waste to Community Uses Challenge	Furniture, Textiles, and Electricals	This initiative will offer opportunities for repairing, repurposing, and reselling items through Fix-it cafes, mending, repair, and upcycling workshops, and clothes swapping events specifically for hospice patients and their families in Liverpool. The project will also train volunteers in repair skills and host engaging competitions, culminating in a public Re-Fashion show.

Sustainable Starts CIC, a not-for-profit organisation in Liverpool, has successfully launched a series of initiatives aimed at making sustainable living affordable and attainable for families, thanks to £8,000 in funding from the Zero Waste Community Fund 2024/25.

The project, which launched in summer 2024, has made significant strides in reducing waste and fostering a supportive, well-connected community. The funding has enabled Sustainable Starts CIC to deliver a range of impactful services, including:

Quarterly Clothes Swap Events: Promoting reuse and reducing textile waste.
A Growing Toy Library: Providing access to toys and reducing the need for new purchases.
Weekly Playgroups for Toddlers: Creating a space for families to connect and learn.
A Cloth Nappy Lending Library: Reducing disposable nappy waste and offering an eco-friendly alternative.
Monthly Cloth Nappy Library Workshops: Providing education and support for using cloth nappies.

Anna Martin, Chairperson of Sustainable Starts CIC, expressed her enthusiasm: “We are absolutely thrilled with the impact this project has had on local families. It means so much to our team to see the community coming together and embracing sustainable living. The funding from the Zero Waste Community Fund has been instrumental in making our vision a reality, and we are excited to continue building a more sustainable future for Liverpool.”

This month the project will reach a significant milestone with the opening of a permanent venue for its toy library at Queen’s Dock Business Centre in Liverpool’s vibrant Baltic Triangle. This dedicated space will further enhance the accessibility and impact of the toy library.

The Zero Waste Community Fund, delivered by Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority and Veolia, aims to increase reuse, recycling, and sustainability across the region. Sustainable Starts CIC’s work directly contributes to this goal by promoting a circular economy and cutting waste levels.

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority, said: “We are delighted to see the success of Sustainable Starts CIC’s project. It’s fantastic to see how this funding is helping to cut waste and save families money. These initiatives are making a real difference in our community, and we are proud to support them.”

The project’s focus on lending libraries is a key component of its success, as these initiatives directly prevent the creation of waste, a crucial element in building a circular economy. By providing access to reusable items, Sustainable Starts CIC is empowering families to make sustainable choices while reducing their environmental footprint.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Attached image captions: Sustainable Starts CIC parent toddler events in Liverpool

About Sustainable Starts CIC:

Sustainable Starts CIC is a not-for-profit community organisation based in Liverpool, dedicated to promoting sustainable living and supporting families. Through a range of initiatives, they aim to make sustainable practices accessible and affordable for all.

About Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority:

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.

A recent survey conducted ahead of Liverpool City Region’s Repair Week 2025 has uncovered that residents spent an average of £459.51 per person replacing damaged or broken items they believe could have been repaired over the past year. This figure represents a staggering £185 million[1] based on a sample of Liverpool residents, highlighting significant potential planet and money savings to be made through learning to repair rather than throwing away and replacing.

Liverpool City Region Repair Week 2025, running from Monday 3rd to Sunday 9th March, aims to address these issues with numerous events planned across the city – many of them free. Workshops will cover a range of skills, from mending clothing and fixing electronics to repairing furniture and bicycles.

What’s more beyond practical, money-saving skills, repair workshops offer social benefits; 69% of sampled residents surveyed agree that these workshops provide excellent opportunities to meet new people and build friendships in their neighbourhood. In fact, 57% report having made friends at a Repair Workshop.

Key survey findings[2]:

• • 67% of sampled residents are concerned about the cost of replacing broken items in the coming year

• • 73% would prefer to repair items themselves if they knew how

• • 78% expressed interest in learning repair skills to save money

• • The most commonly discarded items without checking for repair options are: clothing (42%), toys (40%) and shoes (38%)

Despite these concerns, the survey reveals a growing appetite for repair culture in Liverpool:

• • 66% of residents enjoy repairing items with others and want to learn more

• • 70% would attend more repair events if they were available locally

• • 77% report a sense of achievement from repairing things

When surveyed about their most repaired items, clothes, bikes, and items with sentimental value topped the list. For example:

“I have repaired my clothes and shoes so many times. Most of my clothes are years old. It’s hard to say which ones are the oldest at the moment, but I have a fleece I bought in 1999 which I wore for 20 years and now my daughter wears.”   “A patchwork quilt that has been repaired and added to for many years. I can trace it back to my great-grandmother (my mother was orphaned, so we’re not sure how far back it was started).”   “The same dog toy. I have sewn it back together multiple times because the dog tears it apart, but it’s his favourite toy. When we replaced it with the exact same toy, he wasn’t interested; he still wanted the old destroyed one.”

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) said:

 “Liverpool City Region Repair Week is about empowering people to extend the life of their possessions, save money, reduce waste, and build their community. Whether you’re motivated by financial savings, environmental concerns, or simply want to learn a new skill and meet new people, there’s something for everyone at this year’s event.”

The Liverpool City Region Repair Week Showcase and Launch Event, which will be hosted at DoES Liverpool, is just one of many events included in a busy schedule. Several listed events are free to attend, with some requiring advance booking. For a comprehensive list of events, repair hacks, and a directory of professional repair services, visit https://www.zerowastelcr.com/repair-week-2025/.

By participating in Liverpool City Region Repair Week, residents can join a growing movement of conscious consumers, potentially saving hundreds of pounds while contributing to a more sustainable future for the city.

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[1]  Extrapolations of the data to represent the whole of Liverpool for value of damaged or broken item(s) which could have been repaired. The survey data was weighted to ONS Mid-Year population estimates, 2022, 18 + population figures for Liverpool.

[2] All survey figures obtained from combining answer options “Strongly agree” and “Somewhat agree”