Mid and East Antrim Council maintains triple stack bins are ‘way forward’ after backlash on social media

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has issued an explanation to householders over plans to introduce triple stack bins.
Triple stack bins.Triple stack bins.
Triple stack bins.

The new waste collection system will be introduced in Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballymena in a bid to improve recycling rates.

It will mean that householders in all three towns and outlying areas will have the same bins.

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The plan has been  blasted on social media as “a flop”, a “ludicrous idea” and a “total waste of money”.

Comments suggested that it was “not progress” and would result in more fly- tipping which has increased at beauty spots during Covid lockdown.

Others suggested that the new bins will not be big enough.

Another stated: “We are going backwards. We want to reduce general waste and the cost associated with general waste. We will make recycling more difficult.”

However, the borough council maintains that “triple stack is the way forward”.

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Householders will also be supplied with a smaller black bin and brown bins for organic waste will continue to be used.

A spokesperson said: “Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is currently reviewing its waste collection process.

Recycling means less waste going to landfill – protecting our environment and saving money, which can then be used for services within our community.

“We are seeking funding to introduce a new weekly wheeled box system, which will offer householders a third more capacity to dispose of their recycling, replacing the current recycling boxes and blue bins.

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The council believes that the “overall effect will increase the amount of space available for householders to dispose of their waste”.

“It would offer householders an improved service and allowing all the waste collected to be re-used in Northern Ireland, cutting costs and safeguarding our environment.”

“We thank all our residents for their continued recycling efforts, which have placed Mid and East Antrim as one of the Northern Ireland’s top recycling areas.”

The local authority is  currently reviewing its waste collection process. The new collection system would take 18 months to two years to fully introduce.

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The new triple stack bins will be funded by DAERA (Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs).

Further discussions will take place through the group party leaders on the strategic way forward and a report will be brought back to council.

The council will be represented at a workshop to be held this week with representatives from Welsh local authorities that have “transformed” their waste collection systems and have the highest recycling rates in the United Kingdom.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

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