Managing Litter on the Sefton Coast
Why Litter Management Matters
The Sefton Coast is one of the UK’s most treasured natural landscapes, home to rare wildlife and fragile dune habitats. Litter not only spoils its beauty but also poses serious risks—animals can ingest or become entangled in waste, discarded items can spark wildfires, and frequent vehicle access to empty bins damages sensitive areas.
Our Approach
Landowners along the Sefton Coast—including the National Trust, Natural England, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, and RSPB—follow a shared “Take All Litter Home” policy. This national initiative encourages visitors to plan ahead, bring bags, and remove all waste when leaving. By doing so, we reduce pollution and protect the environment.
How We Manage Waste
- Formby (National Trust): Small bins were removed in 2020 and replaced with large 1100-litre bins at main car parks. This reduces litter hotspots, vehicle movements, and plastic bag use while allowing staff to focus on conservation.
- Green Sefton Sites: Smaller bins are placed at high-footfall areas and serviced daily in summer, with extra collections during peak times. Additional skips are provided at key beach entrances such as Southport, Ainsdale, Hall Road, and Crosby. Larger bins are currently being trialled to replace multiple smaller ones.
- Recycling: Trials showed high contamination rates, so all bins now accept general waste only.
Working Together
All landowners operate under the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and share the same goal: to keep the coastline clean, safe, and sustainable. Volunteer and corporate groups also organise regular beach cleans—helping us protect wildlife and preserve the coast for future generations.
How You Can Help
- Bring reusable bags and take your litter home.
- Avoid single-use plastics.
- Join a beach clean—every effort makes a difference!
Help us keep the Sefton Coast beautiful. Take your litter home and get involved in conservation efforts today!