Wirral Council is consulting residents on a proposal to collect green bins every three weeks instead of fortnightly, a move projected to save around £1.2m a year. The change would apply to non-recyclable waste bins, following the introduction of weekly food waste collections.
Why the change is proposed
The council says people are using their green bins less since weekly food waste collections began, making three-weekly collections more efficient. The current schedule collects these bins every two weeks.
The consultation opened recently and will run until November 25. No decision has been made yet, and feedback will inform reports and recommendations ahead of a final decision by councillors in 2027.
Residents react negatively
After the ECHO covered the proposals, residents shared their views on the ECHO's Facebook page, with an overwhelmingly negative reaction overall. Vicki Ackerley asked: "What about all the nappies and sanitary, adult nappies, products that can't go in food waste bin and only in the green bin? They still need emptying, three weeks is too long."
Stephen Davies suggested a reduction in services should lead to a reduction in council tax, while Jimmy Blackburn predicted the changes could lead to "loads more fly-tipping". Jase Camo argued the issue should be put to a vote, allowing the public to decide.
A minority voice support
A minority spoke in favour of the proposals, including Jim Sullivan, who said: "Our green bin is virtually empty since the grey food caddies were introduced. It makes perfect sense to reduce the amount of green bin collections."
A council spokesperson said: "Wirral Council, along with many other authorities, is under pressure to increase recycling rates in response to national objectives and reduce the volume of waste sent for disposal. A review of waste services is therefore necessary to ensure service standards can be maintained alongside the need for cost savings across the service."
The spokesperson added that the council considered alternatives, including replacing every household's green wheelie bin with a smaller bin while keeping the current schedule, but this would involve significant costs and service disruption. The proposed three-weekly collections are described as the most cost-effective option, saving around £1.2m a year and avoiding added disposal costs.
Residents can have their say at the council's consultation website, haveyoursay.wirral.gov.uk/future-waste.
