We are very excited to announce that we have been awarded a Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) grant, totalling £249,905 which also includes a maximum contribution of £118,637 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for a new project focused on reducing waste and increasing knowledge of climate change. The new project ‘ReThink MESS’ will run from 1st April 2018 to 31st March 2020.
ReThink MESS Project will focus on trialling options for reducing food waste going to landfill including a pilot food waste collection, providing composters to schools and small businesses, and a community fridge. There will also be a number of food waste reduction and low carbon food events for people to get involved in.
Recycling facilities will be provided in public places which don’t currently have any, and a mobile recycling kit will make it easier to recycle at local events. The project aims to install up to 10 ‘Recycling on the Go’ stations and 6 beach clean stations at locations around Mull and Iona.
Workshops in repair and re-use will enable people to learn new skills, covering a range of items from clothes and textiles to computers and bicycles. The project will also work with hospitality businesses to promote lower carbon alternatives to plastic and increase recycling.
ReThink MESS will provide the opportunity for people to increase their own knowledge of climate change and carbon literacy through a ‘roadshow’ at local events, masterclasses in schools, and Carbon Conversation workshops.
Ian Jones, Director of Mull and Iona Community Trust said:
“We are delighted to have secured this grant from the Climate Challenge Fund which will allow us to benefit residents and visitors to Mull and Iona by providing services which don’t currently exist, as well as supporting local business and tourism. People will gain knowledge and learn new skills through participating in workshops, and households will be able to reduce their food bills through increased awareness of food waste and use of the community fridge.
By the end of this project we expect to have less waste going to landfill and more being recycled and composted. Updates will be posted on the MICT website (www.mict.co.uk), Facebook and Twitter and we’d be very happy to hear from anyone who would like to find out more or get involved in the project.”
Food waste is a big issue. Every year the average household throws away £470 of edible food. A Community Fridge is a tried and tested way to preventing good quality food going to waste. Surplus food is provided by local businesses or members of the public and is then available for collection by people who have a use for it. We are piloting a Community Fridge, to help combat local food waste, by sharing unused, good quality food.