Waste Composition Analysis 2015/16

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The Merseyside and Halton Waste Composition Analysis is a piece of work which helps us to better understand the types of waste that are being recycled and thrown away by local residents.

Delivered on behalf of the Merseyside and Halton Waste Partnership (Halton Council, Knowsley Council, Liverpool Council, MRWA, St Helens Council, Sefton Council and Wirral Council) the Analysis has informed both MRWA and the District Councils on recycling and waste collections and facilities which will be able to help improve performance and increase recycling rates.

The project involved the analysis of the contents of recycling, residual and green and food waste from kerbside collections and waste and recycling received at Household Waste Recycling Centres across Merseyside and Halton. The bin waste was analysed to look at its content of plastics, metals, glass, paper, food and many other materials, and then disposed or recycled in the usual way and in a safe and confidential manner.

At the kerbside the contents of bins were transported in a vehicle to a central location locally for analysis (anonymously) and then recycled or disposed of in the usual way. At the Household Waste Recycling Centres members of the public were asked if they wanted to participate by volunteering their own items of household waste to be analysed.

The analysis was in two phases – Nov/Dec 2015 and March 2016.

This really useful piece of research has helped identify the types and quantities of waste being thrown away, which will help us and local Councils across Merseyside update our waste strategy and ultimately improve waste and recycling collections.

Below you can download the reports, data sets and infographics from the project. All items are PDF unless otherwise stated.

A copy of the Waste Composition Analysis 2010 can be viewed here for comparison.