Row over Coalisland waste compactors

At a meeting of the Council’s Environment Committee, members were informed the decision to weld the lower doors of compactors at its Coalisland Recycling Centre shut had been made following a review of safety procedures at the site.

However, SDLP Councillor Malachy Quinn has criticised this decision and claimed it is unfair that elderly residents may be forced to dispose of their waste at other facilities as a result.

“While I think it is important to state that there are no plans to close the Recycling Centre in Coalisland, I have some concerns over the welding of the compactor doors at the site and what I see as an inconsistent policy the Council are applying to the site compared to other sites in the area,” said Cllr Quinn.

“There are plenty of elderly people who use this site and will find it very difficult to throw their grass or sticks over these doors and will be forced to go elsewhere.”

The Committee was told that when in the open position, sensors on the doors were continuously being damaged whilst materials were being loaded into the compactors.

The sensors, officials state, ensure that the compactor does not operate while the door is open.

Members were also advised that there was risk of injury if someone were to trip or fall into the compactor whilst the lower door was open and this had to be addressed.

Initially, the lower doors were padlocked, but this had led to criticism being directed towards the attendants as the general public believed they could open the doors.

To deflect this criticism, committee members were advised the padlocks had to be replaced with welded bolts.

It is this decision that has caused particular concern for Cllr Quinn, who claims local residents are being hindered, unlike residents in any other area of the district.

“The doors are locked on other sites across Mid Ulster but in Coalisland the council have, for some reason, welded them shut,” he said.

“I am calling on the council to reverse this decision, lock the gates and give the key back to the staff members who are best placed to help the public. There needs to be a consistent policy across all out recycling centres. ”

However, a spokesperson for Mid Ulster District Council rejected Cllr Quinn’s suggestions of any inconsistencies in policy.

“Following a review of safety procedures at Coalisland Recycling Centre, the lower doors of four compactors have been welded closed,” said the spokesperson.

“Other compactors are available to use on site and this is in line with council policy at other centres.”

Meanwhile, Council has confirmed that for those who are unable to lift their items above the lower door, the site has two bin lifts fitted for emptying blue and black bins into the compactors and if necessary, site users will be directed to these by staff at Coalisland Recycle Centre.

For garden waste, 200 garden waste sacks are now available for free at Coalisland Recycling Centre.

It is the Council’s hope that these sacks will make it easier for users to deposit their garden waste.

Those with larger loads of garden waste will be advised to take their waste to Drumcoo Recycling Centre in Dungannon if they find it difficult to deposit it into the compactors in Coalisland.