Sacks to bins roll out

Sufficient waste containment through wheeled bins will help to keep your neighbourhood clean and tidy, reduce the number of unwanted pests and promote better public health in the local area.

These changes are being implemented to ensure that a standardised collection service is in place Boroughwide and to meet government legislation which requires an increase in recycling rates nationally.

Sefton Council are committed to reducing waste and increasing recycling rates across the Borough. These commitments are also underpinned by support for the Zero Waste Strategy for the Liverpool City Region, which can be viewed here.

Following the completion of this phase of the waste containment changes project, other areas within the Borough will follow.

Recovery of recyclable materials including jars, cans, plastic, cardboard and paper will help to reduce the amount of waste being sent to energy from waste incinerators.

Whilst recycling is a crucial aspect of the Liverpool City Region Zero Waste Strategy, it is also important to minimise the production of waste.  

Household waste is taken to one of Merseyside Waste & Recycling Authority’s Transfer Stations or Materials Recovery Facilities.

Target recycling materials from brown bins are recovered through a sorting process and distributed to various reprocessing companies. Most recycling products remain in the UK, to be reprocessed as quality products.

Household waste from grey bins, is transported by rail to be incinerated at an energy from waste facility.

You are already producing household waste, but it is going into plastic sacks.

Separating your waste should take no additional time, and containing waste within two wheeled bins will help to keep your neighbourhood clean and tidy.

No, these new wheeled bins will be provided free of charge. However, if you require an additional bin in the future, you may be charged in line with the Sefton Council Household Waste Collection Policy. 

Even if you don’t produce much waste, everyone will produce some waste that can be recycled, and this will also help to ensure space in your grey bin is kept for non-recyclable waste.

If you are unsure what you can and cannot recycle, https://recycleright.org.uk/ will provide you with further information.

Only recyclable waste should be disposed of in your brown bin.

Non-recyclable waste should be disposed of in your grey bin.

However, it is important to note that not everything can go in your household bin, items such as building materials, furniture and lithium batteries from small electrical products such as vapes need to be disposed of separately.

For more information on what can and cannot go in your household waste bin, please visit What goes in my Bin? or call our contact centre on 0345 140 0845.  

In line with the Sefton Council Household Waste Collections Policy, household bins should be placed at the kerbside by 6:30am on the designated collection day.

Following this, bins should be removed from the public highway and returned to your property by midnight on the day of collection.

Your waste will be collected via an alternate weekly collection schedule.

Information is also available via calling our contact centre on 0345 140 0845 and at When is my Bin Collection Day. 

Side waste and overfull bins will not be collected, in line with Sefton Council’s Household Waste and Recycling Policy.

If you cannot fit all your waste into your wheeled bin, please dispose of this at a Household Waste Recycling Centre. Find your nearest centre at Local Tips & Recycling Centres

In some cases, due to the access arrangements or location of a property, it may not be practical for residents to place bins at the kerbside in the front of their property.

In these circumstances the Council will agree an alternative collection point with affected residents.

For example, in the case of traditional terraced properties, the collection point for wheeled bins can be at the end of the entry serving the rear of these properties, whilst more modern terraced properties or low rise multi-occupied properties may be required to present their bins in a courtyard, communal space or adjacent parking area.

There are multiple options for disposing of items that cannot go in your wheeled bin including: 

• Local charities including Emmaus and British Heart Foundation will collect items free of charge, if they are in good condition and able to be re-used. Find out more at Bulky item collections.

• Sefton Council Bulky Household Waste Collection Service is bookable via the Contact Centre. Call them on 0345 140 0845 or via our website at Bulky item collections

• Household waste recycling centres are located across the Borough to help residents dispose of their waste properly. Check for details regarding the location of your nearest recycling centre and what can be accepted at Local Tips & Recycling Centres

Residents should not fly-tip waste, as this is illegal and attracts unwanted pests including rats, flies and seagulls. Residents are encouraged to report any incidents of fly-tipping and those responsible may be subject to a fixed penalty notice of up to £1000 under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.   

Sefton Council are committed achieving zero avoidable waste by 2040, in line with the Liverpool City Region Zero Waste Strategy.

This target also aligns with the national target of reducing all residual waste by 50% by 2042. Transferring properties who are currently on weekly sack collections to alternate weekly wheeled bin collections, will contribute towards achieving these targets by encouraging residents to increase recycling, and reduce residual waste.

Alternate weekly wheeled bin collections are the standard method of waste collection across Sefton. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Councils can specify how waste should be presented and collected, as well as the frequency of collections.

Residents who refuse delivery of their wheeled bins will be required to dispose of their waste at a household waste recycling centre.

If you have any further questions regarding the roll out of wheeled bins in your area, please call our contact centre on 0345 140 0845, who will be happy to assist you with your query.

On the day of collection, your bin should be presented at the front of your property, where the bin is accessible to collection crews.

Once emptied, the Council’s collection teams will endeavour to return the bin to the kerbside in a manner that does not obstruct the footpath, or where practicably possible, driveways or gates.

We recognise some residents may need some assistance presenting their bin.

In line with the Sefton Council Waste Policy, residents can request an assisted collection if they are physically unable to move their bin.

The easiest way for residents to request an assisted collection assessment is by calling the Contact Centre on 0345 140 0845.

Alternatively, please highlight your request for assistance to your local Councillor who will pass this to a Waste Management Officer.