ABC: Recycling bin update

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s borough-wide recycling bin collection service will begin on November 8, councillors have been told.

The issue was raised by Alderman Gareth Wilson, at the council’s monthly meeting on October 25, who said people are currently having issues with the kerbside recycling service provided by Bryson Recycling.

His comments were supported by Independent Councillor Paul Berry who branded the current situation a “recycling crisis”.

At present, different systems for the collection of dry recyclables, inherited from the former legacy councils, are currently in operation across the borough.

However, the contract period for the kerbside boxes is due to expire this year and following a public consultation, which saw 85 per cent of respondents opt for a green bin rather than a kerbside box, residents of the borough’s Armagh and Cusher wards are currently receiving their green bins.

Commenting on the issue, Alderman Gareth Wilson asked for an update on the roll out of the new bins and for details of the collection schedules.

“I know the start is planned for November 8, have we an update on the roll out and when are we getting the detail of collection schedules?” asked the DUP representative.

“People are very keen to recycle but are having problems with the kerbside boxes at present.

“Mine was not emptied today again and I just feel that we are losing some of that momentum. I know people are starting to fill their other bins with their recycling.

“I have also been canvassing people myself to see if they have or have not got their green bin as I am not sure how Council has decided who has or has not got their green bin.”

In response to these comments, the council’s strategic director of neighbourhood services, Sharon O’Gorman, confirmed the new service would roll out on November 8.

“The new programme does roll out on November 8 and leaflets providing householders with the relevant information should be going out this week,” she said.

“The majority of the bins have been delivered but there are a few that will be delivered this week.”

Describing the current situation as a “massive issue” in the Cusher ward, Councillor Paul Berry asked if the November 8 date could be moved forward.

“I agree with Alderman Wilson,” he said.

“It has been a massive issue in the Cusher ward and no doubt in Armagh as well.

“I know where I live, in Laurelvale, it had been three weeks since we had our boxes emptied and I am guilty of using another bin for our overflow, it’s that or put it into the black bin and then we are not recycling.

“I have been speaking to officers about possibly bringing that November 8 date forward and I would like confirmation if that is being considered.”

He continued: I appreciate it is a massive task and I am not criticising our staff but I would like to see if we could bring this forward from November 8.

“It has been a complete nightmare these past three weeks for these residents who pay rates like everyone else and the service has not been provided.

“I appreciate it is not our fault, there are a number of staff at Bryson Recycling who have already left but the reality is it is a recycling crisis out there if we don’t deal with this.

“I know some people have been taking it to the local amenity sites but not all have or are able to do that.”

Acknowledging there have been “a lot of difficulties” with the service provided by Bryson Recycling recently, Ms O’Gorman told the chamber the November 8 date is “very close”.

“We are working to November 8 but I do appreciate there have been a lot of difficulties in terms of the Bryson Recycling service,” she said.

“We are in regular communication with Bryson Recycling on that and if members have any further information on that we will continue to feed that through to Bryson but the date for the change is November 8, which is very close.”

With regards to the delays in Bryson Recycling’s collection of the kerbside boxes, the company has advised residents to leave the boxes out if the collection has been missed, not to report any missed collections and if necessary, bring their kerbside boxes to the local household recycling centre.