Major changes to bin collections coming in Liverpool

Liverpool: Big changes are on the way for bin collections in Liverpool. The city council is rolling out a new waste and recycling strategy. They want to improve recycling rates, which are currently pretty low.

If everything goes as planned, starting in 2026, there will be a new weekly collection just for food waste. Right now, Liverpool’s recycling rate is only 17.9%, which is way behind the national average of 43.4%.

The council is aiming to cut down on waste and get those recycling numbers up to par with other areas. They’ve got a five-year plan to manage waste better and lessen its impact on the environment. It’s costing the council a hefty £27.7 million a year to deal with waste, and they think they could save about £1.6 million if they can boost recycling rates.

They’re also looking to go green with things like carbon-neutral bin lorries. Waste collection is responsible for about 9% of the city’s emissions, which is around 1,700 tonnes of CO2.

To tackle this, the strategy has six main goals. They want to reduce waste in purple bins, increase recycling, and promote better waste habits. They’re also focused on making the service efficient and supporting a circular economy.

The council has already started making changes, like introducing solar bins and underground refuse bins. They’re also optimizing collection routes to cut down on emissions from collection vehicles.

Last year, they decided to take full control of waste collection services, which were previously managed by Liverpool Streetscene Services Limited. Their Keep Liverpool Tidy campaign has really taken off, with more community litter picking since it started in 2022.

To get everyone on board, the council plans to hold an eight-week public engagement period. They want to raise awareness about waste reduction and help residents figure out how to recycle more effectively.

There are also upcoming changes to recycling across England starting April 1, 2026. This includes a new food waste collection service and more materials that can be recycled in blue bins.

Liverpool City Council is joining other local authorities in launching a weekly food waste collection next year. A lot of what goes into purple bins is food waste, which could be recycled instead of incinerated.

Cllr Liam Robinson, the leader of the council, emphasized their commitment to making Liverpool cleaner and greener. He pointed out that waste collection contributes significantly to the city’s emissions, and this new strategy is a big step toward reducing that.

Cllr Laura Robertson-Collins added that everyone in the city needs to pitch in. With Liverpool’s recycling rates being among the lowest in the country, it’s clear that teamwork is essential for making improvements.

She believes that with the right information and support, residents can make small changes that lead to a big difference. It’s all about working together to reduce waste and use the blue bins correctly.