Council extended range allowed in blue bin

BALLYMONEY Borough Council has rejected plans to allow textiles and small electrical appliances to be disposed of in the blue bin.

Due to investment in new technology, Glassdon Recycling, Council contractors, are now able to accept additional dry recyclables including aerosols, envelopes, plastic food containers, small electrical appliances, tetra paks and textiles.

However during a recent Health and Environmental Services Committee meeting, members voted not to authorize the collection of such things as clothes and kettles stating it 'would incur a reprocessing charge from Glassdon Recycling'.

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It was also decided that the acceptance of textiles in the blue bin could 'have a detrimental impact on the quantity of materials' donated at clothing banks and charity shops.

The report explained: 'Blue bins were delivered to all households in the Borough in 2004. Initially, residents were able to recycle newspapers and magazines, card and cardboard, food and drink cans and plastic containers with screw tops.

'More recently it has been possible to recycle catalogues, junk mail and telephone directories. Since the inception of blue bins all collected dry recyclable materials have been reprocessed by Glassdon Recycling.

'Due to investment in new technology, Glassdon Recycling is now able to accept additional materials in the blue bin. This includes aerosols, envelopes, plastic food containers, small electrical appliances, tetra paks and textiles.

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'Partnerships already exist with other service providers for the free collection and processing of textiles (Can Can Recycling) and small electrical appliances (Avenue Recycling).

'Were textiles and small electrical appliances to be accepted in the blue bin, Council would incur a reprocessing charge from Glassdon Recycling.

'The acceptance of textiles in the blue bin may have a detrimental impact on the quantity of materials which Can Can Recycling currently collects via the network of textile banks located at the Council's Civic Amenity and Community Recycling Centres.

'Local charity shops and organizations may also be disadvantaged. If textiles are placed in bags in blue bins monitoring of contamination is more difficult.'

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Concern was also expressed over the 'difficulties' in householders' interpretation of a 'small electrical appliance'.

The report added: 'The Council operates a successful collection system for small electrical appliances at Knock Road and Crosstagerty Civic Amenity Sites. It is possible difficulties could arise over a householder's interpretation of what a small electrical appliance is.

'The depositing of larger electrical appliances in the blue bin could result in damage to refuse collection vehicle equipment and the bin itself.

'It os recommended that Council extends the range of recyclables acceptable in the blue bin to include aerosols, envelopes (plastic windows removed), plastic food containers and tetra paks.'

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At the request of members, the Director explained the rationale for the recommendation to accept only certain additional items of recyclable materials and alternative methods for the disposal of batteries and small WEEE.

He also advised that a leaflet would be produced and distributed to all households giving details of all the recyclates which, following the Council's decision, could be placed in blue bins.

It was proposed by Cllr Tom McKeown and seconded by Alderman Harry Connolly that Council extends the range of recyclates acceptable in the blue bin to include aerosols, envelopes (plastic windows removed), plastic food containers and tetra paks.

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