Council expresses frustration over recycling company delays

Bryson Recycling, which is responsible for collection bins from 160,000 households across four council areas, has previously identified “unprecedented illness” with its driving staff as the cause of its ongoing delays.

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s environment committee has now been provided with a pathway solution to the bin delays amid concerns of a vermin problem.

A council officer told the chamber: “We have met with Bryson and I can say that they have robustly observed their contract with the council.

"did not shy away from the council and have reported daily to us on collections with follow up collections the next day.

“There now seems to have been a sea change with recruiting, retraining and retaining of staff. Previously, the stars had all aligned in the wrong direction for Bryson with illness and the weather.

“They have told us that they have three new staff and plan to add another five by January 19. With training required it is expected that services will be back to normal by mid-February.”

However, constituents’ frustrations with Byrson were made clear in the Lisburn chamber.

Councillor Daniel Bassett said: “I have serious concerns on an absolute shambles from Bryson.

“These bin collection delays have been going on since last Halloween, it is simply just not good enough.

“I am getting the phone calls from frustrated from constituents. We need to be looking at the root cause of this.”

Alderman Sharon Skillen said: “Most of my Christmas and New Year has been taken up by Bryson not collecting the bins.

“Constituents are paying rates and expect bins to be collected. I am aware there have been recent bad weather conditions, but this has been going on for months and people are frustrated.

“This is especially so over Christmas when there is extra cardboard, paper and food waste. Talk about encouraging vermin.

“Patience is wearing thin with folk.”

Alderman James Baird added: “Maybe it’s just my cynical bones, but it appears that Bryson seems to have done an excellent job when a meeting was being held with council staff and then it all went pear shape again after that.”

Committee chairperson Alderman Owen Gawith put forward the suggestion: “Would we be willing to give time to mid-February for staff to be in place, then hold Bryson’s feet to the fire?”

Following further discussions in the chamber it was agreed to allow Bryson more time to resolve the issues.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted Bryson for comment.

A spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, collection services were disrupted over the Christmas period due to staff shortages and high volumes of recycling generated during this time.

“This was further impacted by adverse weather conditions.

"We have discussed a recovery plan with council officers, and we continue to work closely with council officials, on a daily basis, to ensure we get services back to a steady state as soon as possible.

“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.”