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 7th 2026
MRWA_BOWRING_2026B – electricals repair at the Bowring Park Fix It Festival, March 7th 2026
MRWA_BOWRING_2026C – Project Manager Oisín Hennessy, at the Friends the Bowring Park Fix It Festival, March 7th 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. merseysidewda.gov.uk