The Meaning Behind Purple Wheelie Bins In Liverpool - Why Purple? & How They Define The Boundaries

The Meaning Behind Liverpool’s Purple Bins

The purple bin is designated for general household waste that cannot be recycled (Credit: Content was created by The Liverpudlian Team).

Liverpool's purple wheelie bins have become one of the city’s most recognisable everyday elements.

Liverpool City Council introduced the Purple Bin during a major overhaul of its waste-collection system in the early 2000s. The colour was chosen through blening Everton FC's Blue and Liverpool FC's red, to create this now iconic purple.

The purple bin is designated for general household waste that cannot be recycled. It sits alongside the city’s blue recycling bins and green garden-waste bins, forming the standardised bin system used across Liverpool.

Over time, the colour has become an unofficial signifier of Liverpool’s city boundaries. While surrounding boroughs generally use grey, brown or green bins, Liverpool’s purple stands out, subtly marking when one has entered the city's limits.

Though entirely functional in purpose, the purple bin has become a familiar part of Liverpool’s identity, slowly becoming everyday symbol that reflects the city’s distinctive sense of self.