A local charity is helping residents to shop sustainably and recycle right.
Centre 63 in Kirkby has been awarded over £7,000 from Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority to deliver a community food and recycle hub.
The food hub started during COVID and now also includes clothing, nappies, bedding and school uniforms to stop all the waste going into landfill.
Jackie Croft, Chief Executive Officer of Centre 63, believes the location of the hub is extremely important.
She said: “We are central to the local town centre and in the middle of a number of schools which makes it easier for residents to call in on the way to and from schools and nursery.”
The centre is one of the highest deprivation areas of Knowsley with one in three children living in poverty.
For every £10 shoppers receive around £20-£35 worth of goods in return, and the centre often gives away free products to shoppers.
The project includes a “Social Supermarket” which stocks a variety of plastic-free fresh produce and ethical goods at affordable prices.
Jackie added: “Sustainability is key, it can’t be a one-off project and then end, it has to be embedded to ensure the food and recycling continue in the future.”
The project also features monthly cooking sessions, designed to help participants eat healthy on a budget.
Centre 63 has allowed children to get involved by teaching them how to plant foods such as tomatoes and chillis, with plans to eventually sell the locally grown produce at the Social Supermarket.
“It’s essential to allow residents to purchase or be gifted food of high quality and low cost to help with the rising cost of living.
“We encourage residents to cook double to save on high energy costs, to buy the amount of food of they need to reduce wastage, to cook healthier,” explained Jackie.
The local Supermarket at Centre 63 operates from 10am-2pm on weekdays.
Featured image (c) MRWA and David Jones Photography
