Delivered by the Liverpool-based community organisation Alchemic Kitchen, the Waste Not, Dance Lots project is successfully engaging local residents through hands-on learning experiences, community workshops, and awareness campaigns.
Supported by £23,150 from the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) & Veolia Zero Waste Community Fund 2026/27, the initiative has been testing innovative methods of reducing waste, preventing food surplus, and increasing sustainable cooking practices.
The project’s Disco Chops events and annual Apple Day are using surplus food and fruit that might otherwise go to waste to create delicious meals and encourage people to rethink how they shop, cook and use food at home.
Lucy Antal of Alchemic Kitchen said: “We are absolutely delighted with how Waste Not, Dance Lots is going. The project is designed to demonstrate that reducing food waste need not be complicated or expensive. By making learning practical and enjoyable we are looking to give people the confidence and skills to make lasting changes to their everyday habits.
“It means so much to us to see the tangible impact it’s having on local families – we’re not only preventing food waste but also building more connected communities.”
The Disco Chops events let residents prepare and share nutritious meals using surplus food with cooking, learning and live music, showing how overlooked ingredients can be turned into tasty meals while helping people develop practical skills and reduce food waste.
The project also held its annual Apple Day at Speke Hall earlier this month, giving the 2800 visitors and 50 volunteers the chance to collect windfall apples to take home or enjoy freshly made apple juice and crumble.
Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority, said: “Projects like Alchemic Kitchen’s Waste Not, Dance Lots demonstrate the positive effect that grassroots initiatives can have on our region. By engaging residents directly in creative and practical ways, they show how communities can successfully deliver real environmental change, reduce household waste, and embrace sustainable living.”
The project is working with local schools, housing associations, and other community groups to ensure that workshops are accessible and welcoming to all, and is sharing recipe cards and practical advice to help residents plan meals, store food properly, use leftovers and make better use of ingredients at home.
Notes to Editors
Image captions – the annual Alchemic Kitchen Apple Day at Speke Hall, Liverpool, Saturday 3rd October 2026.
Over the course of Apple Day Alchemic Kitchen:
● Saved 2 tonnes of apples from going to waste
● Produced 160L of apple juice
● Gave out 1500 servings of juice.
● Made 850 apple crumbles
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.
Based at 54 St James Street, Liverpool, Alchemic Kitchen is a Co-operative and Community Interest Company dedicated to building sustainable food systems, tackling food waste, and improving community health and well-ability across the Liverpool City Region.