Antrim and Newtownabbey householders advised of bulky lift restrictions

Members were told the council collects over 3,000 beds, mattresses and sofas and approximately 1,500 “large white goods” annually and 15,000 items overall.

The collection of white electrical goods such as fridge freezers and cookers will resume on July 1 as part of a recovery plan for bulky waste services.

A report to council said that the “phased re-introduction” of large bulky electrical goods that are difficult to transport to household recycling centres would “represent a significant resumption of the service”.

The bulky waste collection service has been suspended during the Covid-19 emergency. When it resumes next month, householders will be asked to spray waste with disinfectant before collection. Restrictions on waste items at household recycling centres will be lifted on July 1 although appointments will remain in place at Crumlin and O’Neill Road sites to enable social distancing. Collection of beds, mattresses and sofas will resume on July 20. The third phase of the recovery plan will be introduced on August 3 but will be restricted to a maximum of three items.

Councillors were advised it is not possible to bring items such as sofas to a recycling centre, at present, because facilities are divided into zones and this provision would “make it difficult to keep the public in separate zones” for social distancing purposes.

DUP Cllr Alison Benington suggested a £10 charge be introduced for a bulky collection. However, Macedon Ulster Unionist Cllr Robert Foster said: “I think we would be taking advantage of the situation. There are people struggling as it is.”

Sinn Fein Cllr Anne Marie Logue, who is also the Deputy Mayor, agreed there are people struggling financially. She also noted a “large amount” of fly-tipping around the borough.

“If we bring in restrictive costs, we will find it will not help with fly-tipping,” Cllr Logue commented. “People are paying their rates. I don’t think it is fair or ethical.”

She asked if the appointment system at Crumlin could be lifted on July 1.

She reported that some Crumlin residents have had difficulty accessing an appointment on the council system as it determined they were resident in Lisburn.

She was advised by a council officer the restrictions at Crumlin Household Recycling Centre cannot be removed at present as they are in place to “protect staff and the public”.

However, she indicated restrictions are being kept under review.

Airport SDLP Alderman Thomas Burns asked for a site meeting to be held at the Crumlin facility with the site director to have a discussion about social distancing and booking situation. Cllr Logue said she was happy to agree to that.

Ballyclare DUP Cllr Jeannie Archibald reported she has been contacted by a number of constituents who indicated they have not been able to leave “green waste” at a council recycling centre as it was not bagged. She was told that this had been due to “time constraint”. However, staff will be advised that those who bring “green waste” will be able to use “green waste” containers.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

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