Ninety-three percent of household recycling and waste bins were successfully emptied the first time, analysis has shown. 

That means 231,490 of the scheduled 249,601 collections were completed at the first attempt by those staff who worked over the festive period.   

Cllr Peter Harvey, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Cleansing and Street Scene said: 

“I am delighted that despite the reduced number of staff we had working over the holiday period and the icy weather, we successfully emptied 93% of people’s bins first time. As always over holiday periods there are inevitably some bins that are not emptied on time, and I apologise for any inconvenience that has caused.” 

With Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day all falling on weekdays, the Council’s Waste Management Service brought forward several collection days ahead of the holiday period. A revised collection calendar covering the two-week festive period was then put in place and publicised to households. This revised calendar was widely shared online and across neighbourhood WhatsApp groups. 

Trade waste collections also continued as planned throughout the period, and none were missed. Customers were advised of any revised collection dates which contributed to this 100% success rate. 

Cllr Harvey added: 
“While we very quickly hear when we haven’t got something right, the good news and achievements often go unnoticed. 

“I would like to thank our front-line staff and officers for their commitment and professionalism over the holidays but also throughout the rest of the year. Our bin workers did us proud over Christmas and New Year, and I believe most Sefton residents are grateful for their hard work in tough circumstances.”