Your green bin handles autumn leaves, dead plants, grass cuttings and small branches, but not much else. Old sheds, fence panels, soil, rubble and garden furniture all need a different route, and in Liverpool the green bin season ends in the last week of November anyway. The simplest plan is to fill your green bin with what it is meant for in the final few collections, then deal with the bulky leftovers in one go.
If you are planning an autumn garden clearance in Liverpool, this practical guide covers what goes where, how to plan a weekend clear-up, and what to do with the awkward stuff the bin will never take. If you want to know how the garden waste subscription itself works, see our green bin collection page.
When does the green bin season end?
Liverpool City Council collects garden waste fortnightly from the last week of February to the last week of November. After that, there are no green bin collections until late winter. In practice, that leaves a short window in October and November to get the bulk of your autumn leaves and cuttings into the bin.
A few tips for using those last collections well:
- Check your remaining collection dates on liverpool.gov.uk so you know how many are left.
- Do your big cut-back a few days before a collection, not just after one.
- Chop branches into short lengths so they fit and the lid closes.
- Do not pack wet leaves down hard. They compact into a heavy block that may not tip out.
- If you have more leaves than space, bag the surplus and add it over the next collections, or compost it.
What fits in the green bin, and what does not?
The table below is a quick guide for a typical autumn clear-up. Council rules can change, so check the latest list on the council website if you are unsure.
| Item | Green bin? | Better route |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves, grass cuttings, dead plants | Yes | Green bin or home compost |
| Small branches and hedge trimmings | Yes, if cut to fit | Green bin |
| Large branches, tree stumps, roots | No | Recycling centre or collection |
| Soil, turf, stones, rubble | No | Recycling centre (permit may be needed) or collection |
| Old shed, fence panels, decking | No | Recycling centre or collection |
| Plastic plant pots, trays, hoses | No | Recycling centre or collection |
| Garden furniture and cushions | No | Collection, with cushions kept separate |
Bulky garden waste: sheds, fencing and decking
Autumn is a common time to finally take down the rotten shed or replace the fence that blew down last winter. That leaves a pile of timber, felt, screws and broken panels that will never go in a bin.
If you are dismantling something yourself, stack the timber neatly with nails pointing down, keep roofing felt separate, and leave the pile somewhere we can reach easily. In terraced streets with tight back yards and no side access, it helps to move everything to the yard gate or front of the house before the van arrives, as long as it is safe and not blocking the pavement.
One important warning: some older sheds and garages have roof sheets or panels that may contain asbestos. If you are not sure what a corrugated sheet is made from, do not break it up. We do not take asbestos, so get advice from a licensed specialist first.
Soil, turf and rubble
Lifting a lawn, digging out a border or breaking up an old path creates heavy waste very quickly. A few bags of soil can weigh more than a sofa.
- Bag it in smaller amounts: half-filled bags are far easier and safer to lift than full ones.
- Keep it separate: do not mix soil and rubble with green waste or general rubbish.
- Recycling centre option: Merseyside’s recycling centres take rubble as bulky waste, but if you are using a van or a large trailer you will need a temporary permit from the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority, and you are limited to 12 of those a year.
- Collection option: if you would rather not load it yourself, the driver does all the lifting. Weight and volume affect the price, so mention soil or rubble in your quote request.
Garden furniture and cushions
End-of-season clear-outs often include a broken bistro set, a rusty barbecue or a pile of mouldy seat cushions. Metal and plastic furniture is straightforward, but cushions need care.
Under Environment Agency rules, cushions are included in the list of upholstered domestic seating that is likely to contain persistent organic pollutants (POPs). That means they must be kept separate from other waste and incinerated, not landfilled or recycled. Upholstered garden sofas and padded loungers fall into the same group. When you book, tell us about any cushions or padded seating so they are kept apart from the rest of the load.
A gas barbecue needs one more step: remove the gas bottle first. We do not take gas bottles, so return or dispose of it through a proper route.
A simple autumn garden clearance plan
- Walk the garden and list everything that needs to go: cuttings, timber, soil, furniture, pots.
- Use the green bin first for leaves, cuttings and small branches before the season ends in late November.
- Separate the rest into piles: timber, soil and rubble, furniture, cushions and general garden rubbish.
- Take photos of the piles and send them on WhatsApp for a quote. The price is agreed before booking.
- Book one collection for everything the bin cannot take, rather than several trips to the tip.
Our rubbish removal service takes mixed garden waste and bulky items together. We are a licensed waste carrier, and green and recyclable material goes to a licensed waste transfer station.
FAQs
When is the last green bin collection in Liverpool this year?
Liverpool’s garden waste collections run fortnightly until the last week of November, then restart in the last week of February. Check your exact collection dates on liverpool.gov.uk.
Can I put soil or turf in my green bin?
The green bin is for grass cuttings, dead plants, leaves and small branches. Soil, turf, stones and rubble are heavy and not part of that list, so plan another route for them, such as a recycling centre or a collection.
Do garden furniture cushions count as upholstered seating?
Cushions are on the Environment Agency’s list of upholstered domestic seating that is likely to contain persistent organic pollutants (POPs). That means they should be kept separate from other waste and incinerated rather than landfilled or recycled. Tell us about them when you book so they are kept separate.
Can you clear an old shed as well as the garden waste?
Yes, as long as the shed is taken down or can be loaded safely. Tell us about the shed, any felt roofing and the access to the garden when you ask for a quote. If a shed roof or panel might contain asbestos, leave it alone and get specialist advice, as we do not take asbestos.
If your autumn clear-up has left more than the bin can handle, call 07743 183272 or send us a photo for a free quote. You can read more about green bin options on our green bin collection page.