Sefton Council’s annual leaf fall clearance programme gets underway this week.

Last year was a bumper year, with 1,300 tonnes collected – demonstrating the Council’s commitment to recycling waste, and keeping our streets clean, tidy and safe. Past years have seen the Council’s Street Cleansing team sweep up between 600 and 1,000 tonnes of leaves from roads and footpaths across the Borough. 

All the leaves swept up are sent for composting.

Councillor Peter Harvey, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Cleansing and Street Scene said:

“Each autumn, during the annual leaf fall clearance programme our teams prioritize the removal of leaves from Borough’s network of adopted roads and footpaths.

“Teams work across the Borough systematically but because rates of leaf fall vary through the autumn and can be affected by periods of windy weather, it is not possible to provide firm dates for when each street will be cleared.

“But I can assure residents that our teams will be out there collecting those fallen leaves and taking them for composting so that they can be mulched and used to feed the plants in Sefton’s beautiful parks, gardens and flower beds.”

The Council’s annual leaf fall clearance programme started on Monday (14th October) and will continue until the leaves stop falling.

Anyone hiring a private contractor to dispose of leaves or other waste from their garden, needs to remember that if that waste is eventually dumped illegally, they are responsible and could face a fine of up to £400.

Residents should ensure the individual or firm is registered with the Environment Agency as an official waste carrier. They can ask to see the license issued by the Environment Agency or alternatively, the agency directly on 03708 506 506 or check on its website.

People should also obtain and keep the name and address and vehicle details of the individual or firm who dispose of their waste and ask for a proper invoice or receipt.

Cllr Harvey added:

“If somebody offer you a deal to dispose of your garden waste that sounds too good to be true and could end up being an expensive mistake.”

“If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is. It is ends up being fly-tipped, it could end up being an expensive mistake.”

People can find out more about fly-tipping and how to report it at our dedicated fly-tipping webpage. They can also report fly-tipping by calling 0345 140 0845.