New kerbie boxes help to improve recycling levels

During May and June all households received a black box to use in conjunction with their existing red recycling box. Using this new service, Newtownabbey residents are now able to recycle even more materials from home, including cartons and rigid plastic packaging such as pots, tubs and trays.

Commenting on the success of the extended recycling scheme, Eric Randall, Director of Bryson Recycling said: “The amount collected through the kerbside box service has increased very significantly since the introduction of the new collection service. This is good news for the environment and the economy, as many of the materials we collect are recycled locally which helps to support local jobs. We are delighted with these outstanding results and are extremely encouraged by the way in which the people of Newtownabbey have embraced the new recycling service.”

Eleven different types of material can now be recycled through the kerbside box service. Paper, foil, textiles, batteries and hand tools can be put in the black box, while cans, aerosols, cartons, plastics, glass and cardboard should be placed in the red box.

Mayor Victor Robinson added: “We are delighted to have been able to extend the range of items that we can collect from households for recycling, especially cartons and plastics which householders have been keen to recycle for many years. We would like to thank local residents for supporting the new service and helping us to boost local recycling rates so significantly.”

Meanwhile, at their monthly meeting on September 3, members of the council’s Environment Committee were informed that the total amount of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill by the local authority during 2011/12 was 14,092 tonnes, equating to less than 65 per cent utilisation of the allocated allowances available for the scheme.

Hugh Kelly, the council’s Director of Environment Services, informed the meeting that the council is on its way to meeting the strict landfill targets set by the European Union.

Councillor John Scott congratulated staff for their hard work towards achieving the targets for reducing the amount of waste being sent to landfill, while councillor Billy Webb thanked the borough’s ratepayers for playing their part in increasing recycling levels and reducing waste.