Merseyside Energy Recovery Limited launches a £50,000 Community Fund for Kirkby

The Fund will provide up to £50,000 a year for the next 30 years for community groups, charities and projects operating in Northwood, Cherryfield, Shevington, Whitefield and Prescot North (Knowsley Village). They will be eligible to apply for grants of anything between £1,000 and £20,000 to support their projects. The Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund has been launched to support community, health and wellbeing and environmental projects closest to operations at the Knowsley Rail Loading Transfer Station.

The Fund was part of the contractual agreement with Merseyside Energy Recovery Limited (MERL) who have been appointed by Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority to treat Merseyside and Halton Borough Council’s residual waste. MERL recognises that its operations at Kirkby come with obligations to the local community and this Fund will help to fulfil its responsibilities as a good neighbour to local communities.

The Fund was launched at the new visitor facility at the Knowsley rail loading transfer station on the Knowsley Industrial Estate. Merseyside’s residual household waste is transported from here by SUEZ by rail to its energy-from-waste facility at Wilton on Teesside. Once waste arrives at the facility, it is used to generate enough electricity to power over 63,000 homes – waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill.

Andrew Hughes, Contract Manager at SUEZ said: “Merseyside Energy Recovery Limited and SUEZ are delighted to be a good neighbour and contribute back to the local community.”