Big changes are coming for how local residents and businesses in Sefton recycle or throw away their rubbish.
Moves are being put in place to create a “circular economy”, which will encourage people to minimise the rubbish we all produce, and that we reuse, share and recycle as much as we can.
Measures will be put in place to reduce food waste, signposting residents to refill and reuse opportunities and improving your recycling
Sefton Council’s Cabinet is meeting today to give its backing to the Zero Waste Strategy for the Liverpool City Region.
Following today’s meeting, and the endorsement of the LCR Zero Waste Strategy, councillors and officers will then develop a Sefton specific waste collection strategy.
Sefton has set an ambitious target to reach Net Zero by 2030 – in just five years’ time.
It will see the introduction of new policies, such as food recycling containers for households.
It will also need to bring about a sea change in people’s habits and views on waste and recycling.
The Strategy says: “We aim to promote reuse and repair and refill infrastructure and services, home composting and leasing / borrowing services.
“There could be a variety of changes to how your rubbish is collected and treated and improvements to your recycling.
“We will provide regular communication and engagement about any possible changes affecting you so you understand why there are changes, what is happening and what is required.”
Changes would include:
31 March 2026
Households – to have recycling
collections for cartons, plastics, glass, paper, card, cans, garden and weekly food waste
31 March 2027
Businesses & Households –
to collect plastic film for recycling
Net Zero target dates
2030 – Liverpool City & Sefton
2035 – Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
2040 – Halton, Knowsley & St Helens
2041 – Wirral
2050 – United Kingdom
In the report, Sefton Council says it will: “support the exploration of a transition to a circular food waste system for the Liverpool City Region.
“Following the endorsement of the LCR Zero Waste Strategy by Cabinet, a Sefton specific waste collection strategy will be developed, drawing on the regional principles to set out the local approach that will underpin our ambition to achieve the agreed targets.
“To guide positive change for us, our community and our waste, and help Liverpool City Region meet its ambitious target to become net zero carbon by 2040 or sooner, at least a decade earlier than the national target.”
Some positive change is already happening in Southport.
Earlier this year, we saw the establishment of The Hearth, a non-profit organisation that aims to “unite communities to tackle fuel poverty, foster creativity, and build resilience”.
The organisation held an Earth Day event at Wayfarers Arcade in Southport town centre, sharing good practice on sustainability.
Om Nom Zero Waste on Wesley Street in Southport town centre is another great example, as an organic grocery and refill store.
In Cambridge Walks in Southport town centre, the Make It Workshop promotes repairing, reusing and recycling everyday objects.
More will be needed as the Zero Waste Strategy aims to create “a Liverpool City Region without waste”,
The strategy says: “We will work together to protect our environment by keeping materials in use for as long as possible, preventing avoidable waste, and encouraging reuse, repair, recycling and composting.
“We will educate and engage and deliver waste management practices that provide value for money for our communities.
“Through working together to reduce waste, we aim to achieve positive change for our People, Planet and Economy.
“A shift towards a more circular economy by everyone will play a significant part in meeting net zero carbon targets and responding to the climate emergency, alongside bringing crucial environmental, economic, and social benefits.
“This won’t be easy; we will all need to make big changes.”
Key waste policies
2025 – Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging
Producers to design more sustainable and recyclable products to increase the amount of household packaging waste recycled
2027 – Deposit Return Scheme
Single use drinks containers to have a returnable deposit on them, redeemed at stores or through “reverse vending machines”, designed to reduce littering and increase recycling
2028 – UK Emissions Trading Scheme Increased cost for carbon emitted from incinerators & Energy from Waste facilities burning rubbish
2035 – target: max. 10% municipal waste to landfill
2035 – target: 65% municipal waste recycle
What is Zero Waste?
The Strategy says: “Zero waste is preventing as much rubbish as possible. We know that some waste is unavoidable no matter how hard we all try to prevent it by reusing and repairing things, so we will always be collecting some rubbish for recycling or disposal. Our aim is to make it easier to prevent waste, and repair and reuse items, then recycle, so our bins have much less in them in future. This is known as the ‘circular economy’ approach to managing our valuable resources and it aims to keep our resources (items) in circulation for as long as possible so that their value is retained.”
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