Update on ‘state-of-the art’ Merseyside bin collections ahead of huge change
A major change in Merseyside’s bin collections is set to be launched in 10 weeks, much to the delight of everyone worrying about where to put their leftovers. Local authorities have described the move as an “exciting milestone”, and Knowsley Council has now published photographs of the first wagons pulling into the council’s waste depot.
The new “state of the art food waste” vehicles will each transport up to 2.4 tonnes of food waste, the equivalent of around 20,000 bananas, across the borough to the transfer centre, starting the “transformation process” into clean green energy.
Knowsley Council said its new collection service, is part of a series of greener initiatives which aims to reduce the amount of food being sent to landfill, and reduce the impact food waste has on climate change.
In December 2024, the LDRS reported on Knowsley Council approving plans for separate food waste collections. This will be partly funded by an allocation of £1.28m from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which will allow the borough to purchase new food bins, internal kitchen caddies, external kerbside caddies, communal bins, and food waste collection vehicles.
From March 31, 2026, councils will be legally required to collect food waste from every household and send it for recycling by either composting or anaerobic digestion.
The council said it accepted analysis which pointed to the benefits of having a local food waste treatment plan and would be working to implement new proposals in-line with government policy.
Merseyside’s councils believe this will support the government’s aim to eliminate food waste to landfill by 2030, and also bolster environmental policies which seek to leverage all available opportunities to reduce carbon emissions.
Knowsley Council confirmed its recycling team will be out and about delivering food waste kits to each household in the borough, including an indoor and outdoor caddy and a roll of liners.
Almost all foods can be recycled, with the exceptions of liquids, including all uneaten food and plate scrapings, raw and cooked meats, tea bags and coffee grounds, as well as vegetables and fruit peelings.
Over the coming weeks Knowsley Council recycling teams will be out and about delivering a food waste kit to each household, including an indoor and outdoor caddy and a roll of liners. Then from April 13 the first collections will begin.
The council’s cabinet member for communities and neighbourhoods, Cllr Shelley Powell, describing the launch of food waste recycling “an exciting step” in its journey to achieving a cleaner, greener Knowsley.
Cllr Powell added: “I’m sure many residents will be really pleased that they are able to put their leftovers to good use, and I’m delighted that we are now able to make this happen.”