Recycling FAQs

Grey bins

Green bins

Brown bins

General

 

Why can’t I recycle plastic margarine tubs and yoghurt pots?

When a product is recycle it is sold to reprocessors to allow them to make new goods.  The demand for used food trays, margarine tubs and yoghurt pot plastic is very low i.e. no long term market exists to allow these types of plastics to be recycled.

The separating equipment in the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at Bidston is designed to separate plastic bottle shapes from the rest of the recycling (grey) bin contents. Other plastics, especially flat plastics such as food trays and lids, end up with the paper, contaminating the whole paper bale.  Why not reuse plastic margarine and ice cream tubs for storing leftovers in the freezer? 

 

Why can’t I put recycling in plastic bags?

Please do not put your recycling into your grey bin in a plastic bag, or use a plastic bin liner. We do not have a facility to separate bags from the recycling at the MRF; the bag is either removed as contamination or can get caught up in the machinery, causing delays and potential damage.  Just rinse your recycling and put it into your grey bin loose.

 

Why can’t I put shredded paper in the grey recycling bin?

We cannot accept shredded paper, as it does not recycle correctly. When the paper is shredded the paper fibres are then too short to bind together again properly. Shredded paper can also cause litter problems when emptied into the collection vehicle and can be difficult to sort from other recycling. Shredded paper is great for home composting.

 

Why can’t I have a weekly green bin collection?

Recycling is now more important than it has ever been. The Council made a decision in 2006 to commit Wirral to recycling a lot more waste than previously had been recycled.

The introduction of an alternate weekly collection system, whereby recycling and landfill waste bin are collected on alternate weeks was introduced to residents. Successes so far since the introduction of the new system have included a tripling of the amount of waste that is recycling- We actually recycle an average of 163 million items each year.

The Council realise that there may be some residents that participate fully in the recycling system, but may still feel that they are producing too much landfill waste for their green bin. We have officers that can make visits regarding this and offer advice on waste minimisation and in certain cases may be able to approve the issuing of a second green landfill bin, for example for a resident producing large quantities of medical waste

 

Will I be fined if I put the wrong items in my recycling?

We understand that sometimes the odd wrong item can slip into a recycling bin - don't worry just try your best to recycle correctly. However, if we find that certain properties are consistently using their recycling bin for other rubbish we will take action. It is possible to prosecute those people who are persistently ignoring the very real need to recycle and using the services Wirral provides incorrectly. We are available if you are not sure about what and how to recycle, just contact Streetscene. To avoid other people using your recycling bin for their rubbish, we recommend you try to keep your bin on your own property, except on collection day.

 

What if I forget to put my bin out or put the wrong one out?

You will have to wait for your next scheduled collection.

 

What time do I put my bin out?

Please make sure your bin is out before 7am on the morning of your collection day.

 

Do I need to wash, crush or sort the recycling?

All we are asking is for you to rinse out any food or drinks containers and throw them loose in to your grey bin. You do not need to crush or sort them – they will actually go through the recycling system better if you don’t crush them. We’ll do all the sorting at the recycling plant. Do tear up large pieces of cardboard – you’ll fit more in your bin that way. By droping the can lids into the can this will help us avoid the lid being lost in the recyling process.

 

I do not have a wheelie bin – my waste is collected in sacks. What do I do?

You will remain on a weekly refuse collection service at the moment. An audit is being conducted to work out the best solution for you. We welcome your suggestions at this time, to help us provide facilities that will work best.

 

What happens to the items in my grey recycling bin?

A MRF is a Materials Recovery Facility. It automatically sorts mixed recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard, cans, plastic bottles and glass. It does this through a complex set of screens, conveyors and sorting mechanisms, including some sorting by hand. It enables residents to place their recyclable materials together in one container instead of using separate boxes or bins. If you want to know what happens to the materials, visit the Recycle for Merseyside and Halton website.

 

I live alone and am unable to manoeuvre a big wheelie bin. How can you help?

See the assisted refuse and recycling collection page

 

I am recycling as much as possible, but my green bin is always overflowing. What else can I do?

  • Compact your waste by squashing items up.
  • Home compost your green waste, fruit and vegetables
  • Drop off unwanted clothes, toys, books and re-usable household items to a charity shop or textile bank (not items in bad condition).
  • Make sure you keep your bin on your own property, to stop others using it.
  • If you have children using disposable nappies, why not consider re-usable nappies?

If you have more than six people in one household you are eligible for a further bin, contact Streetscene for further information.

 

I am worried the waste in my green wheelie bin will start to smell, or attract pests. How can I prevent this?

Wrapping your food waste in a carrier bag will contain smells. You can also minimise smells by ensuring your bin lid is always closed. Keep your bin in the shade, away from hot sun and wash out your bin on a regular basis to prevent waste liquids from building up in the base. If you are still experiencing problems please contact Streetscene.

 

What happens if residents are not using their recycling bins?

If residents are not using their recycling bin correclty, this results in many problems for them and their neighbours. Contaminated recycling bins will not be emtpied. The Council on a daily basis reposnds reactively and pro actively to such cases and deals with them through education, working with residents to resolve any issues they have. The Recycling team are available if you are not sure about what and how to recycle, just contact Streetscene.

If we find that certain properties are consistently using their recycling bin for other rubbish we will take action. It is possible to prosecute those people who are persistently ignoring the very real need to recycle and using the services Wirral provides incorrectly.

Why can’t I have an extra brown bin?

The garden waste collection service is currently full to capacity and extra resources might need to be found to enable the Council to offer additional brown bins to residents. To better assess this requirement, if you would be interested in having a second brown bin please email Streetscene or call 606 2004 to register your interest.

Why can’t I put soil in my bin?

Soil is not compostable and stays as soil throughout the composting process. Soil is heavy and this could lead to your bin being too heavy to empty safely. Please shake off any excess soil from plants/weeds before placing into your brown bin.

Why can’t I put items from my kitchen into the brown bin?

The brown bin is for garden waste only. Kitchen waste has to be treated by a different (and more expensive) process than the windrow composting method used for garden waste. This is due to stringent rules applied under European Law. Fruit and vegetable peelings can be put into a home compost bin or a wormery but not into your brown bin.

Why are there no collections over Christmas and New Year?

There is a significant reduction in the numbers of properties taking part in the garden waste collection service over this period, making the service inefficient to run during this time. The garden waste collection service is therefore suspended for four weeks. This allows resources to be transferred to help with the demand on the grey recycling and green refuse bin collections, which generate a higher yield of waste over this period. The vehicles are also available to help collections during any potential disruption in service due to adverse weather conditions.