Liverpool’s iconic purple bins will be a featured attraction at the upcoming BBC Big Weekend event. The city’s famous bins will be showcased in a special activation space at Sefton Park from May 23 to May 25. This interactive area, known as “Purple Patch,” will offer attendees the opportunity to relax, charge their phones for free, and learn about recycling practices in Liverpool.
Commissioned by Liverpool City Council, local art company Make CIC has created the space as part of an effort to address the city’s low recycling rates. The display, created by local artists and makers, includes charging points and a DJ deck made from repurposed purple bins, seating crafted from reclaimed tires, and artwork made from recycled materials donated by residents. Visitors to “Purple Patch” can participate in interactive quizzes to learn about sustainable living practices and ways to improve recycling efforts at home.
The Council’s focus on education and engagement around reducing, reusing, and recycling waste is part of its new Recycling and Waste Strategy. The Strategy emphasizes the importance of collaboration between organizations, businesses, and residents to promote responsible waste management. By encouraging a circular economy where items are reused rather than discarded, the Council aims to reduce waste production and increase recycling rates. After the Big Weekend event concludes, the installation will be dismantled and reused at future events.
Councillor Harry Doyle stated that improving recycling rates requires engaging with residents and helping them understand the bigger picture. Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins highlighted the importance of individual responsibility in reducing waste and increasing recycling efforts. Kirsten Little, Make’s Co-founder and Artistic Director, expressed pride in the project’s collaboration with local businesses and residents to champion sustainability through creativity. The “Purple Patch” installation serves as a tangible example of the power of collaboration in promoting environmental awareness and action
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