What happens to your recycling?

We get it. Sometimes it can feel like a waste of time separating your rubbish just for it to drive off in a bin lorry, never to be seen again.

Behind the scenes, there's an in-depth process that's completed by the region's disposal authority, the Merseyside Recycling Waste Authority (MRWA) and amazing workforce.

Collecting the materials

Local authorities across Liverpool City Region collects each household's recycling and bring it to a Materials Recovery Facility, also known as the MRF.

Sorting the materials

The materials are loaded onto a conveyor belt and checked by hand to remove any contaminants and items that could damage the machinery.

Separating the materials

Cardboard, glass, metals and plastics are all sorted using specialist equipment and checked once again by hand before being moving to the next stage

Processing the materials

Sorted materials are baled, ready to be shipped to manufactures who will turn them into new products.

Recycling into new materials

Most of the materials stay in the UK where they are made into popular products such as newspapers and even home insulation! While a small proportion of Merseyside's and Halton's materials are exported internationally in compliance with stringent market export requirements.