Controversial new monthly bin collections to be trialled by NI council - DUP warn it will lead to an increase in fly-tipping

A controversial bin collection trial has been given the go-ahead in Ards and North Down.
Ards and North Down council is to trial empyting its grey bins once a monthArds and North Down council is to trial empyting its grey bins once a month
Ards and North Down council is to trial empyting its grey bins once a month

The trial, designed to reduce recyclable waste thrown into landfill and save ratepayer money, will see tall grey bins, used for general waste unsuitable for recycling or composting, collected once every four weeks, instead of every fortnight.

Blue recycling bins will increase in capacity, and will be collected fortnightly, while additional glass recycling boxes will be provided and will be collected every four weeks as usual.

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Households that have increased non-recyclable waste disposal requirements (such as children’s disposable nappies and clinical/medical waste) will be able to avail of special arrangements to retain their two-weekly grey bin collection.

The DUP has claimed the proposal will amount to a cut in services, while council officers state overall bin capacity and collection will increase, and up to half a million could be saved per year in reduction of landfill fees.

The trial was first proposed in February but was blocked by the DUP, UUP and some independent councillors. It was recommended again at a special Covid 19 Recovery Group this month, and at this week’s remote meeting of the full Ards North Down Council, the UUP made a change in direction and supported the plan.

The DUP again tried to block the trial at the council meeting with an amendment, to keep the grey bin collection but improve blue bin capacity – it failed with 16 votes in support and 22 against. Alliance, the UUP, the Green Party, the SDLP, and one independent supported the trial.

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During a debate lasting over an hour and a half, DUP members argued the trial amounted to a cut in council services, with one councillor questioning council officers’ estimations of money saving from reduced landfill fees.

DUP Councillor Jennifer Gilmour said the term “trial” was “misleading,” adding “it is more accurate to say this is the roll-out of a reduction in the grey bin collection.”

She said: “I do not believe it is an acceptable form of service delivery. I have heard suggestions that some members have said privately they are willing to accept the trial, but not under any circumstances except a full roll-out of the monthly bin collection.”

She added: “When complaints come in about fly tipping, I will be making it clear who showed strong leadership and stood against this cut in service, and who are those responsible for the cuts.”

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Alliance Councillor Gavin Walker said: “It is a trial, though some seem to have a difficulty understanding what a trial is. It will be adjudicated, and we will go back to the way it was before, should we decide not to do it.

“It is frustrating that the DUP, who are the largest group on this council, are unable or unwilling to take a leadership role in this and other matters.”

He added: “We all understand that changes need to be made. By taking on this one change, which we all appreciate is a big change, we can affect the rates, we can affect the environment, we can create a better future for our children, and we can release other money into the borough itself.”

Independent Councillor Ray McKimm said: “We have been told this is a cut to services. Can I say every person on this screen has been told directly and explicitly by the director, who has responsibility for these services, that either the same or more waste will be collected.”

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A Council press release states: “The grey bin will be collected every four weeks (as opposed to every fortnight) since, as households continue to improve their recycling habits, the grey bin is being used much less by the majority of homes.

“Whilst the amount of each type of bin space will change, the trial will deliver increased overall bin capacity to homes (from a total of 1480 litres to 1520 litres capacity for the average home over a four-week collection cycle).”

It adds: “Ards and North Down has led the way across Northern Ireland in the introduction of new arrangements for kerbside food waste recycling and glass collections, as well as significantly expanding the range of materials that go into blue bins.  This means that over 80% of all household waste is now readily recyclable at the kerbside by simply placing items in the correct bins. 

“With these recycling service improvements has come a now well-established rule in the Borough that prohibits the placing of any food waste, blue bin recyclable material or glass bottles/jars into grey bins for landfilling.  As they strive to fully embrace these new arrangements, increasing numbers of residents tell us that they want to recycle more – but need the right bin space and collections to facilitate this.”

All households placed on the will be notified by letter and provided with information on how the trial works before any alteration to their bin collection service begins.

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