Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) has announced the six community organisations that are to receive a share of its Community Waste Fund.
The funding is to be used to develop projects to help reduce, reuse and recycle more of Greater Manchester’s waste.
The Community Waste Fund application was launched in September 2010. GMWDA said it had received an overwhelming response from the community and voluntary sector, who submitted some fantastic and innovative ideas.
GMWDA chose community and voluntary organisations who wanted to get involved in shaping and delivering much-needed waste and recycling initiatives in their community. The six projects chosen, which vary from furniture restoration to reusing bikes, are based in Greater Manchester and stand out as excellent examples of best practice.
Councillor Neil Swannick, chair of GMWDA commented: “Each organisation demonstrated clearly its commitment to reducing waste and the funding will hopefully help them go that extra mile to do so. Supporting the community and voluntary sector in this way is another step towards our aim of zero waste to landfill, which is not only important for the environment, but it will also save Council Tax payers money each year in Landfill Tax.”
Councillor Rosemary Jones, chair of the Community Waste Fund panel said: “The grant is a way of recognising innovative ideas and a creative approach to help minimise waste and to make a difference to local communities. There were so many worthy ideas submitted and it was wonderful to see such motivated community groups, who are dedicated to helping the environment and local people. It is a pleasure to support them.”
The six projects are:
- Wesley Community Furniture (Manchester): This furniture reuse organisation will set up a workshop pilot to deconstruct and restore preloved furniture. The project will increase the number of people using and benefiting from their service, as well as creating employment and volunteering opportunities.
- PEARLS (Play, Education, Arts, Re-usables and Lending Service) Community Scrap Store (Rochdale): This cooperative collects interesting materials and objects from business and industry, which might otherwise be sent to landfill. The items are redistributed to a large sector of society engaged in children’s play and education. The funding is for one full-time post with the responsibility to find donations, promote recycling and reuse and increase the value of the materials and items received through renovation and restoration.
- ReBuild (Bury): This furniture reuse service received funding to deliver a pilot scheme for up to six months that will expand their collection service. The project will work closely with council waste departments to understand how many items are suitable for reuse and how many homes can be assisted with low-cost furniture. The project will also raise awareness in the community of the need to reuse and will roll out best practice around reuse to other community organisations.
- The Nationwide Cycling Academy: The funding is for a new project that will increase the number of bikes reused. The aim is to recycle lost/stolen/unloved/outgrown bikes for reuse within the community. The funding will also help establish an accrediting Open College Network (OCN) centre for presenting bike maintenance certificates, a mobile service to present maintenance courses in secondary schools/YOP/Probation Service/return to work etc. It will also ensure a pool of bikes is available for hire in parks and schools and for sale at a reduced cost.
- EMERGE: The funding is for a community recycling project, with the aim of creating a network of community champions to echo the message of zero waste in the community. The project will raise awareness of the resources in waste and the 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, as well as sustainability among residents in Greater Manchester.
- Monton Village Community Association: This community group encourages residents and traders to work together to help tenants, schools and churches reduce, reuse and recycle more waste. The funding is for recycling and waste prevention activities that will divert waste from landfill and provide employment and volunteering opportunities.
Julie Woodruff, Director of Nationwide Cycling Academy commented: “We are delighted with the funding we have received, which will help with a bike repair project to ensure the bikes are fit for reuse, benefiting the community and the environment. This great initiative will also provide volunteering, employment and training opportunities.”
Denise Lambert from EMERGE, who is directing a community champions volunteer project said: “We are delighted with the fund, which will enable us to create a network of champions to support a zero waste ambition and involve local communities. It will also provide over 100 volunteering opportunities.”
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Fab news for Manchester. GMWDA seem to be really pushing waste reduction and reuse which makes sense in the light of future landfill tax increases (landfill tax is already £48/ tonne) and Manchester’s Councils poor performance in a recent recycling league table. They should be applauded. (disclosure – I am a volunteer at EMERGE)