Triple stack bins reduce landfill waste, says Mid and East Antrim Council

The new triple stack bin system is subject to funding from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and would take between 18 months and two years to roll out.

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

Mid and East Antrim is one of the top performing council areas in Northern Ireland for recycling and is currently reviewing its waste collection process.

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

Some householders believe that the new bins will not be big enough and could result in more fly-tipping.

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

Larne residents will move from having their blue bin lifted once a fortnight, to the new weekly wheeled triple stack system, which will result in an increase in the overall capacity for waste disposal

Ballymena and Carrickfergus residents will see their collections changed from the current box system to a wheeled triple stack system.

A smaller black bin will also be distributed to all householders and the existing brown bin will continue to be in operation.

Carnlough woman Sharon Ramsey has started a petition urging a rethink on the introduction of triple stack bins.

The mum-of-six is asking the borough council to reconsider scrapping large black bins and blue recycling bins which are in operation in some parts of the borough.

Sharon believes that the triple stack system is too small and residents should be able to choose the size of bins “suitable to family circumstances”.

Mid and East Antrim Mayor Cllr Peter Johnston said the proposed new waste collection will “help to create a healthier, more sustainable local environment”.

“The overall effect of the proposed new system will be an increase in the amount of space available for householders to dispose of their waste, and that is very positive news.

“Under this proposed new system of recycling, council is leading the way in meeting the stringent requirements for reducing landfill waste and creating a circular economy.

“Better recycling means less waste going to landfill – and by doing that we will be protecting our environment and saving money, which can then be used for services within our community.

“Council is 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.

“People will be kept fully informed of how the proposal is progressing, at every stage of the process.”

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

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