The green bin, which is for garden waste including grass cuttings, dead flowers, small tree prunings, leaves, weeds and houseplants, will replace the current green bags that over 90,000 households currently use.

Liverpool city council's executive member for the environment and heritage, Councillor Berni Turner, said: "This is the first phase of our revised recycling scheme which aims to make it as easy as possible for residents to be environmentally friendly.

"We introduced garden waste recycling last year and it has proved to be one of the most popular green services we provide, but it's important to try and get as many people as possible into the recycling habit.
 
"Every household that currently has a green bag will receive a green bin over the next couple of months.  The fact that it can be wheeled around people's gardens will make the whole process more convenient and will hopefully encourage everyone to use it.

"We know that this isn't a one size fits all solution to recycling.  We realise that parking three wheelie bins could prove difficult for those in smaller properties.  

"We're only giving bins to residents who have enough space.  We're also looking at ways in which we can extend the service to other people in the city and we'll be working closely with residents and ward councillors to find the best solution."

The first properties to receive the new bins will be in the Fazakerley and West derby areas.  The current roll out will go on until November.  In Spring 2007, the council will be introducing light blue wheeled bins for glass, paper, cans, plastic and cardboard recycling to suitable properties across the city. These bins will replace the popular purple box recycling scheme currently in operation.