St Helens recycling project highlights all round benefits of diversification

The launch of an innovative green waste recycling facility in Rainford is helping reduce council tax bills for St Helens residents, protect the environment and secure local jobs.

Partially funded through the Integrated Countryside and Environment Plan (ICEP) the £1.1million facility at Mossborough Hall, Rainford will extend James Heyes and Sons' waste processing capability to 25,000 tonnes per year, safeguarding 6 jobs and creating 4 more. The initiative will also reduce significantly the amount of waste St Helens Council commits to landfill, helping to stem council tax rises and protect the environment.

"Waste is a major problem that we have to do something about." said John Parr, Chairman of St Helens Council. "And this sort of diversification, generating extra revenue whilst returning waste to the land, is an ideal solution"

The waste material is collected across the St Helens area, recycled into compost and returned to the soil as fertilizer. In the short term the recycled waste will be used on site at Mossborough Hall Farm but James Heyes and Sons have plans to expand into commercial sales within the agricultural sector.

"This is a marvelous environmental scheme," said Tracey Gordon, Environmental Sustainability Manager at Government Office North West", "and will help to reduce the amount of waste which is put into landfill every year. I wish there were more schemes like this one which not only tackles the green waste problem but also when the compost is spread back on to the land it combats the problem of soil erosion'

Working closely with ICEP, James Heyes and Sons secured £400,000 grant funding from the European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGFF). ICEP is a partnership initiative working to champion rural and environmental interests throughout Merseyside. It provides a gateway to funding streams and business support services through its website www.icep.org.uk and is part of general drive to revive the rural economy in Merseyside.

"We've been working with a range of rural businesses throughout Merseyside to help source funding, unlock tourist potential and diversify effectively," said Jonathan Jackson, ICEP Project Manager. "Mossborough Hall is a prime example of how effective diversification can simultaneously bring benefit to business, the wider community and the environment."

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