Liverpool City Council is working on a plan to provide residents with two-wheeled shopping trolleys in a move it hopes will drastically reduce the dumping of supermarket-owned trolleys across the City.
The council has decided to investigate and develop a trial program to supply up to 500 personal two-wheeler shopping trolleys (nicknamed "Granny Trolleys") to eligible residents at a subsidised rate, with a focus on pensioners and individuals without access to private transport.
Deputy Mayor Peter Harle – a long-time campaigner against dumped trolleys – said that by providing trolleys – probably at a nominal cost – it was hoped to residents would take their own trolleys to and from supermarkets.
"While the law places responsibility for trolleys fair and square at the supermarkets, Council is left with the problem and so Council has come up with a solution," he said.
"There is potential for funding under the Environmental Levy which we want to expand to allow innovative and preventative environmental programs, such as initiatives to reduce urban waterways or promote behaviour change.
"In some ways it's an old-fashioned solution to a modern problem. Years ago, every home had its own shopping trolley and by going "back to the future" we can probably find a commonsense solution to a massive problem.
Councillor Harle also encouraged shoppers to take advantage of free home deliveries.
"Supermarkets offer a range of minimum-spend free delivery options and this is a very simple way to reduce trolley usage and increase shopping convenience," he said.
Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said the idea was a positive and innovative solution to a huge problem statewide and called on other Councils to consider following suit.
"All Councils are left with a trolley mess and if personal trolleys for residents cuts the number of dumped trolleys, then everyone wins.
"It's a classic circular economy solution to a massive environmental problem," he said.
In the last two months, Liverpool City Council has impounded nearly 1,200 trolleys, most of which have been collected by their owners, who were charged $46.30 a trolley.
Council is planning another trolley blitz in May and this time will be levying fines of up to $1,320.00 a trolley.
