Changes are coming to waste this year
Wirral residents are being reminded that significant changes to their household waste collections are coming in 2026.
Weekly food waste collections will be introduced in the borough for the first time this summer. From April, residents will also be able to recycle a wider range of materials using their grey recycling bin, ahead of the new collections starting in July.
The changes are the result of the ‘Simpler Recycling’ programme for household waste in England and Wales which was introduced under the previous Government through the Environment Act 2021.
This legislation aims to ensure that all local authorities are collecting and recycling waste in the same way including the requirement all councils to introduce weekly separate food waste collections. Food waste collection has already been effectively trialled in parts of Wirral as well as already being successfully introduced by some other councils.
For Wirral residents the changes mean that from 6 April 2026, a greater number of items will be able to be recycled through the grey household bin, which includes for the first time biscuit and sweet tins, aerosol sprays such as deodorant and hairspray, foil, plastic food pots, tubs and trays and cartons.
Items such as crisp packets, plastic bags, and drinking glasses will still not be accepted in the grey recycling bin. Following the plastic bags and wrapping trial carried out with some Wirral households last year, we are continuing to work with our partners to determine how these materials could be collected in the future.
From 6 July 2026, food waste will be collected every week on the same day as residents scheduled bin collections for grey and green bins. Collections of green and grey bins will continue to be fortnightly on alternating weeks.
Cllr Liz Grey, Chair of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee for Wirral Council, said:
We welcome the changes to household waste collections that are about to be introduced as it will mean that residents have the opportunity to recycle more items at home and reduce the amount of materials that goes to landfill or for incineration.
However, we do recognise the significance of the change – particularly the food waste recycling – for local residents and we are determined to provide them with as much information, guidance and support they might need to make the transition.
In the coming months Wirral Council and its waste management partner, Biffa, will be delivering information and any equipment needed to households affected by the change in readiness for the service changes starting.
