Liverpool’s getting its first underground superbins – here’s everything you need to know

The first new underground ‘superbins’ are due to be installed in Liverpool at the end of this month as part of a new scheme aimed at tackling litter and rubbish dumping.

Councillors gave the go-ahead for the massive communal bins back in June, with 140 locations across the city in line to get them. 

That will cover around 27,000 terraced households, many of which have limited options for waste disposal so already use temporary community bins.

The innovative programme, which will cost £1.5million, will see Liverpool join Peterborough, Cambridge and Wembley in using underground bins in an attempt to clear the streets of black bin bags and reduce the knock-on issue of rats.

With the first phase about to get underway, here’s everything you need to know about Liverpool’s new superbins …

Where will the first ones be?

The council say the first 12 locations have been chosen and they are: Hayfield Street in Anfield, Empress Road in Kensington; Leopold Road in Kensington; Saxony Road, Kensington; Battenburg Street, Kensington; Arundel Street, Walton; Maria Road, Walton; Selina Road, Walton; Toft Street, Kensington; Moss Grove, Liverpool 8; Silverdale Avenue, Tuebrook; Maud/Madelaine Street, Liverpool 8.

What will they look like?

Rubbish put into new smaller above-ground general household and recycling waste bins will drop into large underground superbins below. The bins are designed to be fully accessible to anyone with limited strength or mobility, so some will be operated with foot pedals and others with ground-level mechanisms, but because cleanliness is a priority, no bins will be operated by hand.

How big will they be?

The underground superbins come in different sizes but the largest can hold up to 5,000 litres of waste which is the equivalent to a week’s worth of rubbish for 20 houses, before it needs emptying. The superbins are smart bins, so they know when they’re full! They are made of steel or reinforced plastic to keep smells down, and they’ll set off an alarm when they’re at capacity. They will then be emptied with a crane lift and reinstalled in a process which the council estimates should take less than 10 minutes.

Why are they being introduced?

The council hopes they’ll help cut down on issues with dumping, waste, litter and rats, which won’t just make life more pleasant and streets cleaner for people living in these areas, it’ll save the council time and resources – and so money – too. Ripped bin bags can also add to the litter problem, so it’s hoped that by getting those off the streets the new scheme will reduce that as well. Liverpool currently has a litter problem three times the national average, so that’s definitely an issue which needs tackling. It’s what Mayor Jo Anderson has described as “an environmental and economic win-win.”

Can you have your say on superbins?

Yes, the council has already held a consultation session in Kensington and a community roadshow in Princes Park so residents in those two selected areas can ask questions about the new scheme, but anyone wanting to share their thoughts still can by emailing alleyways@lssl.liverpool.gov.uk