Council seek new ways to promote bin collections around the borough

Bins that were to be collected on Thursday, July 12 were being collected earlier on Saturday July 7.

Bins due to be collected on Friday, July 13 are being collected on Saturday, July 14.

The Council is now mopping up areas that have been missed with the backlog due to be cleared on Tuesday (July 10).

Mayor of Craigavon, Councillor Carla Lockhart, commented: “Having been contacted by a large number of constituents following a change in bin collection day owing to the bank holiday on Thursday, July 12, I have asked officers to look at alternative ways of getting the information out to the rate payers.

“On this occasion we used the same methods as in previous years, namely adverts in the three local papers, Facebook and the Council’s website. However, many householders have not seen the information with the result that people haven’t put their bins out and therefore they have not been emptied.”

She continued: “I believe that we need to introduce along side the traditional methods new, and innovative ways of communicating changes in this vital service so has to ensure this does not happen in the future.

“It may be that from now we leaflet drop the area, put stickers on the bins reminding people to check out our website or that we email or text the householders concerned - or indeed all of the above.

“Given the high volume of calls today I believe a new method is required.

“We are also introducing new bin routes from the winter onwards. We will be using the latest software and related technology and this we will let us know exactly where problem areas are.”