A £110,000 community fund has been launched to find the best ideas for reducing, recycling and reusing household waste across Halton and Merseyside.

Community and voluntary sector groups, not for profit social enterprises and schools can apply.

Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) and Veolia Environmental Services are offering the cash.

MRWA chief Executive Carl Beer said: “We’re giving the right projects a real opportunity to succeed and make a big difference to the volumes of waste that we currently have to send to landfill.”

The money will be shared between three projects, with a maximum of £20,000 to any one scheme.

Alex Paterson, director of Veolia Environmental Services Merseyside and Halton, said: “The community fund has a history of supporting fantastic waste and recycling projects in Merseyside, and gives us a greater opportunity to support the local community with their creative steps towards waste reduction, reuse and recycling.”

Applicants must satisfy 10 criteria including engaging residents, promoting economic growth and permanently changing consumer waste habits.

More information and application forms can be obtained from the MRWA website merseysidewda.gov.uk or by calling Tel: 0151 255 2577 or e-mail communityfund2014-15@merseysidewda.gov.uk.

Applications for the fund will be accepted from May 19, 2014. The closing date is June 13, 2014.