Bryson Recycling says 'a recovery plan' has been agreed with Antrim and Newtownabbey council over missed bin collections

Bryson Recycling reported a “positive meeting” with the council’s chief executive Richard Baker to discuss the situation with the collection service.

“We discussed the issues being raised and also the actions required to get our service back to a steady state as soon as possible,” a spokesperson for Bryson Recycling said,

“We have agreed a recovery plan with the council and continue to work closely with council officers. We have recruited additional staff who are currently being trained and will be delivering frontline services in the coming days.

“We are working very hard to resolve these issues and would like to sincerely apologise to residents for any inconvenience caused.”

Missed bin collections across the borough were raised at a recent meeting of the council’s Operations Committee, at Antrim Civic Centre, with councillors airing their concerns following complaints from local residents.

Airport Sinn Fein Councillor Annemarie Logue said that there have been widespread complaints about bin collections, which she described, as “totally below sub-standard”. She said some black bins have not been collected since December 18 and that some triple-stack recycling bins have also been missed.

Michael Laverty, the council’s director of environmental services and sustainability, said both Bryson and Avenue, another waste contractor, have suffered problems on the roads as a result of adverse weather conditions.

“There are areas they can’t access. They can’t take risks if road conditions are not suitable,” he added.

Dunsilly DUP Alderman Linda Clarke said she has received multiple complaints about bins not being collected in Randalstown.

“One resident has not received any service in 12 weeks,” she claimed.

Macedon Ulster Unionist Councillor Robert Foster warned that people are losing confidence in recycling and are beginning to put recyclable items into black bins.

Antrim DUP Councillor Paul Dunlop BEM claimed that residents are “frustrated” since the wheelie-box recycling system was rolled out in the Antrim area last year.

Bryson Recycling is also expected to attend a full meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council to answer questions in the council chamber at the end of the month.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has been asked for a comment.