The national roll-out of food waste collections will begin in April
Food waste caddy(Image: Copyright Unknown)
The latest phase of a major change to how waste is collected across Liverpool will begin from next month. It was revealed last summer how more than a dozen areas across the city were chosen to take part in a roll out of a free food waste pick-up ahead of it being made mandatory across the country from this April.
The change comes as Liverpool remains one of the worst performing areas for recycling rates in the UK. The city council has now confirmed when the third tranche of households will take part in the new food waste collections after the scheme began last September.
Almost 30,000 households have taken part to date. The early implementation is being used as an opportunity to stress test the implementation of food waste from communications, caddie and liner deliveries and collections.
Properties were chosen from 15 wards for the initial roll out, including Childwall, Garston, Fazakerley West and West Derby. The other areas first in line for the new bins will be Wavertree Garden Suburb, Grassendale and Cressington, Allerton, Springwood, Mossley Hill, Everton North, East and West, Norris Green, Deysbrook, West Derby Leyfield and Yew Tree.
Homes will receive information packs, a smaller indoor bin – known as a caddy – a larger outdoor caddy, and odourless liners ahead of the launch. All food waste will be able to be recycled, including leftovers, vegetable peelings, bones and teabags.
Chris Lomas, director of environmental services, presents a new food waste bin
The outdoor caddies will be pest-proof, meaning that rats, seagulls, and other unwanted pests will be unable to get inside. The new food waste collections are an additional service and will be collected on the same day as the purple and blue bins.
In a response to a written question on the progression of the scheme, the city council confirmed when the next round will begin.
It said: “To date two phases have been introduced to 29,306 properties receiving a weekly food waste collection across 25 electoral wards.
“Communications for the third phase have commenced with a further 15,000 properties being added to the service from Monday 23rd February 2026. The phased roll out approach will continue throughout 2026, across the city.
“We have been encouraged and pleased with resident behaviours to date, with excellent quality of food waste and minimal contamination.
“The service currently collects an average of 36.1 tonnes per week with an overall participation rate of 55%.
“This diverted waste from the residual (purple bin) waste stream is contributing to improved environmental performance as it has not been sent off for incineration. The waste is treated during the anaerobic digestion process converting the waste gas, fuel, and bio fertiliser.”