Kensington Fields

Champions wanted to lead fight on waste

People living in the Kensington Fields area of Liverpool are being asked to lead a drive to cut waste and improve recycling in the area.

A new initiative Kenny Fields Fights Waste, is being launched and it is looking to recruit between six and 12 residents to act as champions for the scheme.

Kenny Fields Fights Waste will bring together local residents, councillors, council officers and recycling representatives to tackle waste issues and make the area cleaner.

It has been backed with a £20,000 grant from the Local Government Association which will fund training and support for the champions as well as items such as Euro Bins and other receptacles for recycling.

Among the issues which the new scheme will tackle  are trying to reduce the amount of food which is thrown out, looking at how any barriers to recycling can be overcome and stopping alleys being used for fly-tipping.

Councillor Steve Munby, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “Kensington Fields is an area of terraced houses with back alleys and, in common with many of these types of neighbourhoods, has a low recycling rate– it is estimated at around 10%.

“There are other issues in the area such as waste – including food – being dumped in alleys which leads to other problems as it becomes a feeding ground for rats.

“We want to work with residents to help make this a much cleaner area and are looking for some local people to champion the scheme. They would be the eyes and ears of the neighbourhood, reporting when there has been fly-tipping, for example, and advising their neighbours of what can be recycled and encouraging them to recycle.

“We are also looking at the possibility of ring-fencing recycling credits for use in the area for environmental improvements.”

Kenny Fields Fights Waste will be launched at Kensington Fields Community Centre on Tuesday 2 February (12 noon to 4pm) when there will be advice on issues such as recycling and reducing food waste. There will also be an opportunity to win a shopping voucher or a food/recycling hamper by taking part in a simple survey.

Free homemade food will be available and  Bulky Bobs will have some free furniture to give away to Kensington Fields residents.

“I hope as many residents as possible come along to help us launch Kenny Fields Fights Waste,” said local councillor Christine Banks. “We know there are issues about waste and recycling in the area but together we can make it a cleaner and greener neighbourhood.

“The best people to lead this are those who live in Kensington Fields so we want residents to come forward to be champions for this new scheme.”

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