Liverpool’s communal bin stations set for major upgrade

Liverpool’s communal bin collection stations are set to receive a major upgrade under plans designed to improve recycling, tackle fly-tipping and create cleaner neighbourhoods.

Cabinet members will be asked next week to approve contractors to provide permanent housing units for the city’s existing communal bins.

There are currently 850 communal collection stations across Liverpool, serving households where limited space in rear alleyways makes storing individual bins difficult.

The stations were introduced between 2018 and 2022 following concerns from residents about household waste being stored in alleyways.

Under the new proposals, the existing bins will be placed inside durable, purpose-built housing units designed to create a cleaner, more attractive appearance and help the stations fit more effectively into their surroundings.

Similar schemes have already been successfully introduced by other local authorities, including Glasgow City Council.

The new units will feature clear information to help residents understand which items should be placed in each bin. They will also include details about accessing other council waste services, such as bulky item collections.

Council leaders hope the improved design and clearer guidance will help reduce fly-tipping and prevent waste from being left around communal bin areas.

All communal bin stations in Liverpool currently provide facilities for household waste and dry recycling. The service is also expected to expand in the future with the introduction of dedicated food waste bins.

Liverpool City Council has been rolling out weekly food waste collections across the city since September last year.

The service allows residents to separate leftover food from their purple household waste bin and place it into a specially designed caddy. The food waste is then collected weekly and sent for recycling.

Residents will be contacted with information explaining how to use the communal food waste bins before they are introduced in their area.

Council officers have already been visiting homes receiving the new collections to help people adapt. Engagement work will also take place with households using communal bins before the expanded service is launched.

Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetscene said: 

“Communal bins provide an important service for thousands of households across Liverpool, and these upgrades will make them more durable, easier to use and better integrated into our neighbourhoods.

“These upgraded communal bin stations will provide a better experience for the people who use them every day, while also helping us expand food waste collections to more households across the city.”