A-Z of Re-using & Recycling in Wirral
It is generally better to re-use than to recycle. You can give away most household items free via Freecycle Wirral.
Use official council reception sites for other rubbish. To comply with the Civic Amenities Act 1967, the following Waste Recycling Centres are open, free of charge, to the public for - car batteries, cardboard, engine oil, garden waste, paper, furniture, rubble, scrap metal, textiles, drinks cans, timber, glass, and soil.
Poulton Bridge, Bidston Moss, Birkenhead, Tel. 653 7698
Greenbank Road, West Kirby, Tel. 625 9901
Mount Road, Clatterbridge, Tel. 334 0019
Wirral Waste Recycling Centres are open seven days a week except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day between the following times:
8.00am to 5.00pm, October to March
8.00am to 8.00pm, April to September
For further information call Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority on 255 1444. www.merseysidewda.gov.uk
Aerosols
Best avoided as they can cause problems at recycling plants. Use pump sprays instead, these are becoming more widely available, ask if you dont see them. We do appreciate that not every product is available in this form yet.Anti-freeze
Check with garage/body shop. Nationwide Recycling Environmental Services in Warrington collect specialist motor waste from garages and dealerships including oils, anti-freeze and unwanted batteries. Please let us know of any garages using their services.Aluminium
Recycling saves 95% of the cost of production of new aluminium. At the moment it is not possible to recycle aluminium on Wirral, however Wirral LA21 Network is working on this problem and would encourage people to save and store foil if possible in the meantime.Art and craft materials
Including wallpaper rolls to Wirral Play Council. Please phone (0151 650 0030 or 0151 201 7883) or email wpc@wirralplaycouncil.fsnet.co.uk if you think you have suitable materials to donate.Batteries
Ideally use rechargeables. Both Household and Nickel Cadmium batteries can be recycled at Clatterbridge, West Kirby and Bidston Waste Recycling Centres. Car batteries can be taken to any waste reception centre. Some garages also accept them for recycling.You can also send ANY household battery - AAA, AA, C, D, PP3 or button cell to:
Sainsbury's Battery Recycling, FREEPOST ANG20589, PO Box 137, WYMONDHAM NR9 5BR
This freepost address can be used on any Jiffy bag. Batteries should be well wrapped in plastic bag, before they go into the Jiffy bag.
Bedding
Salvation Army, Poulton Ave Wallasey 0151 638 6899 (M,T,W,F only) or Birkenhead 652 2569 may collect. Accept bed linen, towels, also pillows, duvets, and quilts in good condition and will wash these.Books
Modern Educational / non-fiction. If schools have books or educational equipment they no longer need, Liverpool John Moores University run the Books For Tanzania scheme - contact Catherine Randall on 07929 861411.Fiction: most charity shops or check with libraries for special schemes. Book banks available at some Wirral recycling centres. There is currently a collection bin for CDs records and books at Sainsbury's, Prenton.
Bric-a-brac
Most charity shops take small household goods but not electrical items, and not older furniture. Fire Resistant labeling is vital. Two specific possibilities are: Green Community Shop, Christchurch Road, Oxton, 0151 653 2269. YMCA shop, Grange Road, Birkenhead Tel: 647 2834 accepts any electrical goods in working order. These are tested and sold.Cardboard
Brown card can be composted. Otherwise use WBC grey bins for clean cardboard, or take to any household waste sites.Carrier bags
Please use until these are torn. Plastic food bags for loose fruit and vegetables can also go to supermarket collection points at Sainsbury and Tesco.CDs, DVDs
Trade in your unwanted CDs, DVDs and Magazine Give-away discs, or donate them to charity shops. Damaged and broken discs (including cases and cassettes) can be posted to Polymer Reprocessors Ltd, Reeds Lane, Moreton, Wirral, CH46 1DW. www.polymer-reprocessors.co.uk Tel: 606 8614There is currently a collection bin for CDs, records and books at Sainsbury's, Prenton.
Chemicals
Try to use biodegradable, phosphate free, non-toxic chemicals.To dispose of pesticides, insecticides, garden chemicals, household cleaning chemicals and so on, do not pour down drains - call MWDA on Tel: 0151 255 1444 to request disposal.
MWDA will take name and address details as well as details of items to be disposed of. All details are passed to the MWDA's collection and disposal contractor who will contact the resident to arrange a suitable date for collection from the home. The contractor collects as arranged and ensures packaging, transportation and disposal is carried out to all legislative requirements.
Turps / White Spirit - when you have washed your paintbrush, let the turps solution settle then re-use the clean turps again and again. Biffa and Veolia are very active in the Wirral area and can remove chemicals that are used on a large scale.
Christmas Cards
Use WBC grey bins for all greetings cards. W.H. Smith, Tesco and main Post Offices usually collect Christmas cards for recycling. Boots no longer do so.Christmas Trees
Chop and put in Brown Garden waste wheelie bin, or take to local MWDA sites in January for "chipping" / green waste skip.Clothes
Most charity shops accept good quality used clothing. From 28 Jan. 2008, customers who donate M&S clothes at Oxfam stores will get a voucher worth £5, to be redeemed when they spend £35 or more at M&S, valid for one month. Salvation Army 0151 355 2808 or 0151 677 4002.Beware commercial companies imitating charity doorstep collections. See www.safefromscams.co.uk/CharityHouseholdCollectionScams.html
Coins or Bank Notes
Any old British coins, bank notes or left over foreign holiday currency. Old British coins (the big ones) 50p 10p 5p 2p 1p etc. See Guide Dogs for the Blind Website www.gdba.org.uk/index.php?id=1653 Also foreign coins for charity are collected at Lloyds BankComputers
If they are still working, why not donate to a voluntary group or charity? Contact your local CVS.CDL are available on - 01925 730033. They refurbish computers and send them on to third world countries. They can be found at www.computerdisposals.co.uk.
Create Liverpool, Speke Hall Road, Speke, Liverpool L24 9HA (next to Peoples Ford). Tel: 0151 448 1748. 9am to 5pm Monday - Friday, 10am to 4pm Saturday.
Computers For Charity offers a secure and hassle-free way for companies to save money and benefit the community. They will collect redundant computer equipment free of charge and recycle it for use by charities, voluntary organizations and schools throughout the United Kingdom. For further information, please contact 01288 36 11 99 or see www.computersforcharity.org.uk.
Enterprise Recycling, Unit 1, Victoria Business Park, Victoria Rd, Rhyl, LL18 2EJ. 01745 343144, email rhylrecycling@scout-enterprises.co.uk Open 9.00am - 5.00pm, Mon -Fri and they also have branches in Porthmadog and Llandudno Junction.
Drinks Cartons
Rinse and flatten then take to bring sites at Tesco Heswall: Tesco Bidston; Library car park Greasby; Dee Lane car park, West Kirby: Asda Bromborough. Due soon Asda Liscard; Asda WoodchurchEducational Materials
Writing materials, educational and reading books, other learning materials can be sent to poor schools in Africa. Shirley Johnson 01978 772054.Electrical goods
CREATE Tel: 448 1748 take washing machines, tumble driers, ovens, hobs for refurbishment but no small electrical goods or computers.Any electrical goods working and in good condition are accepted at the YMCA shop, Grange Road, Birkenhead Tel: 647 2834 or the British Heart Foundation charity shop on West Derby Road in Tuebrook 0844 499 4173. These are tested and sold.
When you buy new items, keep receipts, as under the WEEE directive suppliers must take back electrical goods bought from them for safe disposal when these no longer work.
Envelopes
Put out with rest of paper in WBC grey bins BUT please remove plastic windows. Buy recycled, or use again with re-use labels. These are now available to buy at the on-line shop of the Centre for Alternative Technology www.cat.org.uk.Fabric
Clean, unused fabric, ribbons, etc Wirral Play Council, 0151 650 0030 / 201 7883. www.wirralplaycouncil.org.ukFluorescent tubes
Biffa Waste run collection service 0151 357 3026.Lampcare www.lampcare.com provide containers and empty them when full. They can be contacted www.lampcare.com/contact_us.php and run a call-back service.
Foil
WBC grey bins cannot take foil. There may be foil recycling available in Spring 2008, so please wash and store your foil and look out for an announcement on our homepage.Furniture
St John Hospice tel: 639 2521 will collect, but it must have fire retardant labelVincent de Paul tel: 630 3569 - phone to check first before taking to shop it will depend on size whether they can accept it
WIRE - wooden furniture only, will collect for refurbishment
Check this website for local SWAP days with free collection and delivery within specified postcode area.
NOT the ERIC service please as furniture is destroyed.
Garden Waste
Compost whenever possibleRecycle using the brown bin
Recycle larger amounts via the household waste sites at Clatterbridge, Bidston, West Kirby..
Glass / bottles / jam jars
Put in WBC grey bins. Re-use for making jam, washing paint brushes etc. Take to your nearest bottle bank. Wash them first. If it is an unusual colour then take it to Energywise www.energywiserecycledglass.co.uk, for a small cost they will make you anything you desire using the donated bottle. They are located in Liverpool on the Queen's dock. They can be contacted on 0151 707 9152Jewellery
Old or new jewellery, from a single earring to a modern plastic necklace. In any condition, broken, outdated or simply no longer wanted, all can be recycled. See Guide Dogs for the Blind Website www.gdba.org.uk/index.php?id=1653Junk Mail
Contact Mailing Preference Service www.mpsonline.org.uk, DMA House, 70 Margaret Street, London W1W 8SS or call MPS Registration line - 0845 703 4599 for details of how to cut down (but probably not completely eliminate) unwanted direct mail. Otherwise return to sender in reply paid envelope or recycle as paper in WBC grey bins.Keys
Any old or surplus keys that are no longer required can be recycled for their metal content. See Guide Dogs for the Blind Website www.gdba.org.uk/index.php?id=1653Large Items
Use ERIC Service for the removal of up to six items of furniture, including large electrical goods / white goods. Waiting time of approximately 10 days for collection. If items are in a reasonable condition they will be recycled. For further information call 0151 606 2004. If you are able you can take your old fridge or freezer to Bidston Waste Recycling Centre.Magazines
May be welcomed in hospitals, waiting rooms, hairdressers etc. Otherwise recycle as paper in WBC grey bins. Remove plastic wrappers first.Mobile phones
Wirral LA21 Network is currently collecting old mobiles. They will be refurbished for use in developing countries. Please send them (stamps not required) to Greener Solutions, FREEPOST LONI7592, PO Box 32343, London, SW17 9ZZ. Please enclose a note saying that WLN is your nominated charity as we get a small payment for each phone donated. For further details, please phone us on 0151 639 2121 or email info@la21.netMedicines
Return to your pharmacy for safe destruction. Do not put in the bin, toilet etc.Musical Instruments
Glass Studios are interested in musical instruments working or not. Email russ@glasstudios.comNappies
Lollipops give advice and demonstrations contact Email Emma ErskineHappy Bums are due to start a nappy laundering service in Wirral tel: 200 3416, based in Borough Road, Birkenhead
Cotton Tails previously serving Wirral with a nappy laundering service are retiring, the company is up for sale. Tops for Bottoms has closed down.
Net curtains
Runcorn couple collect close-knit net curtains for use as childrens mosquito nets in Africa. Call Shirley Johnson on 01928 573664Oil
It is illegal and highly polluting to pour engine oil down the drain. Call the Oil Bank Line 0800 663 366 for your nearest disposal facilities. Vegetable oil cannot be mixed with motor oil for recycling. Put in a sealed container in your bin. Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority waste reception centres have oil banks.Vegetable oil: please email rosie@la21.net who will arrange to collect it for use as car fuel.
Paint
Community Repaint Wirral. Please check this website for details www.la21.net/crp.htm accepts most types of paints less than 8 years old, the paint is redistributed to community groups and individuals in need . Jim O'Neil 0151 639 2121, email jim@la21.netPaper
Wherever possible buy and use unbleached recycled paper products. Paper can be recycled up to six times, and then lasts for up to 30 years. (For longer term, new copier paper is "guaranteed to last for 100 years"). Use the back of old photocopies, junk mail, etc for scrap paper by the telephone. Recycle using WBC grey bins. Some paper bank skips at "bring sites" now take Yellow Pages. Ring 0151 643 7314 to check your nearest. Wirral Play Council use paper to make papier mache. 0151 650 0030 / 201 7883. Commercial paper waste should be referred to Centrol - 0151 423 9900.Petrol coupons / phone cards etc
Merseyside branch of Leukaemia Research fund can buy medical equipment with current and out-of-date petrol coupons, Smart Card Points, Air Miles, Green Shield Stamps, cigarette coupons, used telephone cards, etc. Send to 42 Borella Rd, West Derby, Liverpool L13 OBZ. Also Oxfam shopsPhotographs
If of local topographical interest, donate to your nearest library and simply ask them to pass on to the relevant library or records office. More general snaps can be sent to Barnardos Photographic Archive, which is a fascinating insight into 19th and 20th century social history. John Kirkham, Barnardo's, Tanners Lane, Barkingside, Ilford , Essex IG6 1QGPlant cuttings
Friends of the Earth welcome cuttings to sell at events and raise funds. Call June Davies, 638 1294. Check with local gardening clubs.Plastic bags
Refuse or re-use where possible. Some supermarkets accept bags for recycling. Plastic food bags for loose fruit and vegetables can go with carrier bags to supermarket collection points at Sainsburys and Tesco. Charity shops often need clean carrier bags. Co-op now supply biodegradable bags.Plastic bottles
Recycle in your grey bin with lids on (unless these are black) as this aids the mechanical sorting process. NO black plastic at all in grey bins, please.Plastic containers
Place in WBC grey bins. The plastic bottle bank at Asda in Wallasey has now closed. Plastics can be taken to the recycling point in the car park adjacent to The Lodestar, Brook St, Neston.Plastic film
Send to Polyprint mailing films, Mackintosh Road, Rackheath Industrial Estate, Rackheath, Norwich, NR13 6LJ. It can be printed or plain but no paper labels please. Flatten or roll it and double wrap if there is a lot. It is bulky but light so cheap to post.Polystyrene
Save-a-Cup Recycling Co supply drinks machines using recyclable hard walled polystyrene cup. Gail on 01977 607766.Printer & toner cartridges
Send your printer or toner cartridges to the charity Action Aid who sell them on to raise funds. If you go to www.actionaidrecycling.org.uk you can ask them to send preprinted envelopes or arrange collection if it involes a large number of toner cartridges.PVC-u
Nearest recyclers for doors, window franes, gutters etc are in ManchesterRecovinyl 0161 426 7731 or Axion, Langley Rd South, Salford M6 6HQ 0161 737 6124
Rags
British Red Cross shops get money for their work by selling rags. Deliver to shops in Bromborough 343 0056, Upton 604 0913, New Ferry 644 1997, Birkenhead 666 1160, & Hoylake 632 4826. Please clearly mark bags rags to distinguish from sale items.Records (vinyl)
Specialist record shops still buy and sell vinyl LPs, singles and even 78s in good condition. Charity shops welcome vinyl donations (no more James Last or Sound Of Music LPs please). Record Fairs and Ebay are also a good place to trade or sell your vinyl. There is currently a collection bin for CDs records and books at Sainsbury's, Prenton.Scrap Metal
Aluminium. See Wirral Toy Library. Other metals Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority Waste Recycling Centres.Sewing Machines
Singer machines:Tools for Self Reliance www.tfsr.org, Stephen Pillow 0151 334 6318. Other brands: Out of Africa. Julie Martin, 01202 694 492.Shoes / trainers
Shoes refurbished by local people in Africa. Free phone 0500 827198 for your nearest shoe bin. Many shoe shops take shoes and trainers to be recycled or resold in aid or charity shops. Check with yours.Spectacles
Many opticians collect these for use in developing countries. Check with yours. Alternatively, send clean, good condition spectacles well wrapped (without case) and pack them in a sturdy cardboard box clearly marked to: Vision Aid Overseas, 12 The Bell Centre, Newton Road, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 2FZ enclosing a compliments slip (so that they know who to thank). www.vao.org.ukStamps
Collection banks in libraries for various charitiesTetrapaks
Rinse and flatten drink and food cartons then take to the following bring sites:Library car park, Greasby Road, Greasby
Council car park, Dee Lane, West Kirby
Tesco car park, Bidston Link Rd, Bidston
Asda car park, Croft Business Park, Bromborough
Tesco car park, Telegraph Road, Heswall
and coming soon to Asda Liscard and Asda Woodchurch
Tools
Tools for Self Reliance www.tfsr.org ship tools to Africa. Also accept Singer sewing machines. Contact Stephen Pillow 0151 334 6318.Tyres
Tyres can be accepted at West Kirby (Greenbank Road) and Clatterbridge (Mount Road) Household Waste Recycling Centres.Valve Radios
Pete Roberts (Runcorn) will service and repair many makes of valve radios (and other valve gear). Email PeteRoberts007@aol.comWatches
All watches needed from a Rolex (or cheap copies) to a free plastic watch. Metal, leather or plastic straps, or without straps. Pocket watches, bracelet watches, novelty watches. In working order or broken, it doesnt matter! See Guide Dogs for the Blind Website www.gdba.org.uk/index.php?id=1653Wedding dresses
Oxfam have a department at Heswall for wedding & bridesmaid dresses. Donate at any branch. Viewing and purchases on Saturdays, or by appointment.Wellies
Dunlop Hevea recycle these but cannot collect. Stephen Ellis 07775 765 704. Also ask at your local shoe shop. Many take these for use in developing countries.White Goods
Cookers, washing machines, fridges, freezers etc. See large items.Wirral Toy Library
Wirral Toy Library, Woodchurch Lane, Prenton. 0151 608 8288 would be grateful for:Used stamps: if your envelopes are too tatty for re-use, just tear / cut stamps from envelopes, leaving about ¼" paper all around. Dont remove from paper.
Toys: ring to see if they can make use of them. If not, give to charity shop (NOT electrical items).
Wirral Play Council
www.wirralplaycouncil.org.uk can use the following materials for use in arts and craft activities with children - Paper or card off cuts. Rope, ribbon and string. Fabric, wool and thread. Wallpaper and paint. Packaging materials. Please phone (0151 650 0030 or 0151 201 7883) or email wpc@wirralplaycouncil.fsnet.co.uk if you think you have suitable materials to donate.A private scheme has started on Wirral collecting glass, tins, plastics, paper, cardboard, clothes and others for recycling. Collections are made either monthly or weekly and cost from £5 per trip depending on load. Contact Ms Jackie Spraggett: 0151 678 2403 Email:markjackie@mspraggett.freeserve.co.uk
Information is supplied in good faith and we have tried to be as accurate and up-to-date as we can, but we take no responsibility for any problems however caused. If you spot a mistake, or would like to add to this list, please contact us.
Wirral LA21 Network, 79 Gorsey Lane, Wallasey, Wirral CH44 4HF
Tel 0151 639 2121, or email us on:info@la21.net
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