Wirral Council has begun the first phase of its largest domestic waste collection overhaul in two decades, with weekly food waste pickups starting today (Monday, July 6) for around a third of households.
Residents in the initial rollout will have their food waste collected every week using a new caddy, on the same day as their grey and green bin collections. For example, if a household's bins are emptied on Wednesday, the food waste caddy will also be collected that day.
Phased rollout across Wirral
The first phase covers approximately one-third of all Wirral households. Two further phases are scheduled for the weeks beginning July 27 and August 17, extending the service to more residents. The council and its waste management partner, Biffa, are delivering the necessary equipment – an outdoor caddy, a smaller kitchen caddy, a supply of bags, and information guides – ahead of each household's start date.
Environmental and energy benefits
Cllr Max Booth, Chair of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee for Wirral Council, said: “We recognise that this is a massive change for residents, a whole new rhythm and routine they need to get into. This development ensures that Wirral is operating in line with other authorities as part of the ‘Simpler Recycling’ programme for household waste in England and Wales. It will also contribute to the borough’s efforts to increase recycling rates and capture the biogas release from food waste for green energy production.”
The aim of separate food waste collections is to prevent heavy, moisture-rich food waste from being incinerated or sent to landfill, thereby reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Instead, the food waste will be converted into renewable energy sources such as biogas fuel or bio-fertiliser for agricultural use.
Historical context and service details
This is the most significant change to Wirral's bin collections since 2005, when the grey bin for recyclables was introduced alongside alternate weekly collections of recyclable and non-recyclable items. Households that have not yet received their food waste caddy can check the collection calendar online at wirral.gov.uk/bins to find out when their delivery is due and when collections will begin.
