Herefordshire Council receives grant from Defra

Herefordshire Council has been given a financial helping hand to support its work with local social enterprises involved in re-use and recycling.

The council has been awarded a £9,459 grant from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (Defra) waste implementation programme support fund.

The handout will be used to help the voluntary and community organisations in Herefordshire and Worcestershire that the council works in partnership with to reduce waste.

Organisations include Full House, a furniture recycling service based at Holme Lacy Industrial Estate, and Herefordshire Lifestyles, based at Berrington Street, Hereford. Herefordshire Lifestyles, a charity which offers training and support to adults with disabilities, turns unwanted electrical appliances into quality refurbished goods for
resale.

Chris Atkinson, Worcestershire County Council's Project Development Officer for re-use said: "The funding will help showcase the work of organisations who re-use and recycle unwanted electrical equipment, pass on furniture to people on low incomes, refurbish discarded bicycles, re-use paint, recycle computers and more.

"It is hoped this funding will raise awareness of local social enterprises involved in re-use and recycling, particularly with local businesses, who may be unaware of the opportunities available for working with this sector."

The grant will also fund two visits aimed at enabling the council and its partners to learn from other organisations around the UK who are currently exhibiting best practice in this field.

The final part of the funding will pay for a small study to identify re-usable or recyclable waste currently not being re-used or recycled in the two counties.

People interested in finding out more about re-use organisations or obtaining a free re-use guide should call 01905 766883 or visit http://www.wastemissionimpossible.org.uk/