Frequently Asked Questions
General
Q. Why is Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) reviewing services?
A. The current arrangements have been in place since 2009. The Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) contract is coming up for renewal in 2029 and MRWA wants to ensure services remain efficient, accessible, affordable and fit for future purpose.
Q. Has a decision already been made?
A. No. The consultation is intended to gather views before any recommendations are considered, and the design of any proposed future HWRC service remains an ongoing process that will take into account feedback received through the consultation.
Q. What is the Future Waste Services Programme?
A. A programme to review how HWRCs and other waste services are delivered in the future in preparation for replacing the current contract arrangements in 2029.
Q. How can I take part?
A. MRWA is committed to hearing feedback and is holding a six-week consultation until 22 September 2026. Residents can complete an online or paper questionnaire.
Q. What evidence is being used to support these proposals?
A. MRWA is looking at what other local authorities have done to tackle these issues across the country, considering what has worked well and what has not. We are looking at industry best practice in developing these initial proposals.
Q. Are the proposals intended to save money?
A. Yes, by increasing recycling rates and preventing visits from those MRWA is not funded to manage such as non-Merseyside residents and trade waste.
Q. Would residents have to pay to use recycling centres?
A. No. Merseyside residents will continue to use the recycling centres for the disposal of their household waste free of charge as they do now.
Q. Who can respond to the consultation?
A. Anyone can respond to this consultation, but we are particularly interested in the views of Merseyside residents.
Q. How will consultation responses be analysed?
A. Every response will be considered, and we particularly welcome feedback through the Open Question option.
Q. Who will make the final decision?
A. Once the feedback has been received and analysed, a decision on the inclusion of the final proposals in the future services contract will be made by the Authority Members.
Q. When would any changes be introduced?
A. It is not proposed that any changes would be introduced until the commencement of new contract arrangements in June 2029. On their introduction, changes will be introduced gradually and working in collaboration with members of the public to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements.
Q. Would any changes be trialled before being made permanently?
A. MRWA are currently considering all options and, should Authority members agree to the proposals, may introduce trials in advance of the formal implementation date to assist with ensuring the new approaches are carefully designed and implemented.
Q. How will residents be told about any changes?
A. Changes will be advertised well in advance with information at HWRCs, on our website and in the media and social media.
Resident-Only Access
Q. What is Resident-Only Access?
A. Under one of the proposals, HWRCs would only be available to Merseyside residents. People living outside Merseyside would no longer be able to use these facilities. This aim is to ensure MRWA is only delivering the services for which it is funded and to reduce costs and demand on very busy sites.
Q. How would resident status be checked?
A. The design of the final approach remains under consideration. It is anticipated that home address and postcode would need to be provided when booking a slot to visit a HWRC and that individual proof of address (such as a driving licence or Council Tax bill) would then need to be provided upon arrival.
Q. Would Resident-Only Access apply at all sites?
A. Yes. If this policy is brought in, all HWRCs will be for the use of Merseyside residents only.
Fair Use Policy
Q. What is the proposed Fair Use policy?
A. It is a proposal to introduce reasonable annual visit limits for all HWRC users. The aim is to help ensure fair access to the service for all Merseyside householders, to manage overall demand at sites (reducing queues) and to prevent potential use of the sites from non-householders (such as trade waste).
Q. How many visits would be allowed?
A. No specific limit has yet been proposed and we would welcome all views on what residents may consider reasonable annual visit limits. It is proposed that any limit decided would be managed by way of the booking system.
Q. Could people who have recently moved be affected?
A. Residents who have recently moved into Merseyside would be eligible to use Merseyside’s HWRCs.
Q. Would residents still be able to use any Merseyside recycling centre?
A. Yes, any Merseyside resident would be able to use all Merseyside HWRC. However, all visits will be taken off the annual allowance.
Q. Could additional visits be allowed in exceptional circumstances?
A. It is expected that the new approach will allow for more than adequate numbers of visits for the great majority of routine household needs. However, should more visits be required by any household, MRWA would engage with householders to understand the specific needs and help with appropriate solutions for managing the waste.
Booking System for All Vehicles
Q. What is a booking system?
A. A booking system will allow residents to book a day and time slot to visit their local HWRC. Our proposal is that every visit to an HWRC would require a booking.
Q. Would everyone need to book?
A. Yes. Under one of the proposals, all visitors would need to book a time slot before visiting an HWRC. This will help manage demand, reduce lengthy queues and wait times to access an HWRC and make visits run more smoothly.
Q. What controls already exist?
A. Currently, vans and large trailer users must book and are limited to 12 visits per year. We propose extending the booking system approach to all vehicles, including cars – however, we are still considering the maximum number of visits and would welcome residents’ views on this.
Q. Would same-day bookings be available?
A. Yes, it is intended that the booking system will be as flexible as possible and will allow for same day bookings.
Q. What if someone has no internet access?
A. MRWA would make sure the new system is flexible enough such that people who cannot book either online or by mobile app still have a way to book, such as by phone.
Q. Would booking reduce my waiting time?
A. The HWRCs have highly variable demand and for many, there are lengthy queues at busy times. A booking system will help spread visits more evenly throughout the day and across the week, which is expected to reduce queues and waiting times during traditionally busy periods.
Q. What happens if someone arrives without a booking?
A. MRWA recognise it will take some time for residents to get used to the new system. In the early days of rolling out the system, staff will work with residents to ensure they understand the need to make a booking and provide easy to use information about how to make one. A flexible approach will be taken to working with the public to ensure a successful rollout of the new system.
Q. How far in advance could bookings be made?
A. That is still to be decided, but in other areas where booking systems are used, bookings can usually be made at least two weeks in advance.
Q. Could a booking be changed or cancelled?
A. Yes, it will be possible to change or cancel a booking.
Q. What happens if I arrive late for my booking slot?
A. MRWA recognise that there are many reasons why someone may arrive slightly early or late for a booking. It is anticipated that a reasonable grace period would be allowed for such circumstances.
Q. What information would residents need to provide when booking?
A. The details of the new booking system are yet to be designed. The basic information required would be name, address and vehicle registration but MRWA is considering ways to help residents better recycle waste, and this may include questions on the type of waste being delivered.
Q. How would residents’ personal information be used and protected?
A. MWDA will only process any personal data/information you submit in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2019. For more information about the UK GDPR 2019 please visit https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/. If you have any enquiries which are related to either the UK GDPR 2019, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or the Environmental Information Regulations you can contact MWDA on Tel: 0151 255 1444.
Q. What support would be available for people who cannot book online?
A. We will ensure the service is available to people without internet access. Whilst the details of the system are being developed, we expect to have the option of taking bookings by phone.
Q. What if someone relies on a friend, relative or carer to take waste to a recycling centre for them?
A. The vehicle that the friend, relative or carer uses would be subject to the restriction on number of visits per year. We are keen to understand how this might affect users and to look at solutions and would therefore welcome feedback through the consultation.
No Mixed General Waste Policy
Q. What is the no-mixed general waste proposal?
A. Under this proposal, residents would be asked to separate recyclable and non-recyclable materials before taking them to a recycling centre, as opposed to bringing in both these types of waste mixed together in bags.
Q. What materials should residents separate?
A. Recyclable materials that can be diverted from non-recyclable waste. Further information will be provided on our website and at the time of booking. Assistance will also be provided at the site.
Q. What are the environmental benefits?
A. Reducing the amount of waste disposed of in the general skips means that more materials can be recycled, helping to reduce the amount of waste that needs to be disposed of by energy-from-waste or landfill.
Q. Would site staff help residents identify what can be recycled?
A. Yes, HWRC staff will help residents identify what can be recycled, and where it should go. Any items that cannot be recycled will still be able to be deposited in the general waste container.