Thousands more properties across Sefton will benefit from cleaner, greener streets as Sefton Council rolls out the next phase of its successful ‘Sacks to Bins’ initiative. 

This improvement is part of the council’s wider responsibility to meet national waste regulations and facilitate DEFRA’s Simpler Recycling. It brings collection arrangements in these areas in line with most households across the borough. 

Third phase begins  

Phase three of the scheme will see wheelie bins introduced to Blundellsands, Church, Linacre, Victoria and Litherland wards following the first and second phases which covered Derby and Litherland wards.  

New wheelie bins delivered 

Households that previously relied on black sack collections have now received their new brown recycling and grey general waste wheelie bins. Deliveries began on Friday 20th March, with first collections scheduled for from Tuesday 24th March, residents' collection day will stay the same. 

Listening to community concerns 

Cllr Peter Harvey, Cabinet Member for Street Scene, said: 
“We expect the third wave of the sacks to bins rollout to be every bit as successful as the first and second, and we are confident that once they have the new bins, residents will be pleased with the instant results in improving the appearance of their streets.  

“Previously, switching to wheelie bins from bin bags has boosted recycling rates, reduced fly-tipping and stopped rats, seagulls and other animals tearing open sacks. Streets immediately looked cleaner once pavements were no longer lined with ripped bin bags. 

We are here to help

“We understand some residents may be concerned about the transition, and we are here to help. Anyone who struggles to move their bins can request an assessment for our assisted collection service by calling 0345 140 0845 or you can speak to your local councillor who will put you in touch with our Waste Management team. 

Stored at the front of properties

“We also recognise that bin storage can be challenging for some households. In most cases, bins can be stored at the front of properties. Where this isn’t possible, most residents have access to their own rear alleyways or council owned rear entries that are suitable for bin storage.” 

Improving rear entries

“Some alleyways have been affected by dumped waste, making access difficult. But since, March 2025, the Council has increased alleyway cleaning and now clears at least 10 tonnes of waste from alleyways every week. 

“We are pleased that communities have also invested time and effort into improving rear entries, alongside the work the council has done, bins do not have to negatively impact these areas. 

Cleaner, Greener, Together

“The scheme is part of our shared ambition to make our neighbourhoods cleaner and greener together.  We know residents will continue to work with us to maintain and improve the community spaces we all value.” 

A growing Boroughwide initiative 

The sacks to bins programme will continue to expand beyond these wards so every household in the borough uses a bin to contain their recycling and waste wherever possible, although the Council acknowledges that there may be some non-standard collection locations. There are plans to introduce the scheme Boroughwide wherever sack collections are still in use and where the change is feasible. 

Residents will continue to be kept fully informed as the rollout expands. Council staff will also be on hand on upcoming collections day to help residents wherever needed.  

More information 

If you have any questions and would like to find out more visit our website at www.sefton.gov.uk/sacks-to-bins-rollout.   

You can also find out details of bins collections and recycling in Sefton here.