Residents urged to take more care on recycling

Paper, newspapers, leaflets, cardboard, rinsed food tins and drinks cans and any plastic moulded in the shape of a bottle with a lid including soft drinks bottles, shampoo bottles and milk containers can all be put into the green bin.

However, plastic bags, yoghurt pots, plastic wrapping, crisp bags, margarine tubs and ready made meal trays are not accepted in the green bin and are regarded as contamination.

Councillor Johnny McGibbon, Chair of the Environmental Services Committee, said: “Putting the wrong type of household waste into green bins is regarded as contamination and costs the local rate payers a hefty 4,000 per month.

"I would urge all residents throughout the Borough to put only the correct waste into their green bins as any contaminated waste that cannot be recycled must be disposed of through landfill and this is were the extra cost comes in.”

On average over 12 per cent of the total waste collected throughout the Borough is contaminated waste which cannot be recycled and has to be sent to landfill. Last year over 374 tonnes of waste was rejected and had to be dumped at a substantial cost to ratepayers."

Jennifer Wilson, Craigavon Borough Council Recycling Officer, commented: “Residents throughout Craigavon continue to show their commitment to helping the environment, by recycling ever increasing amounts of waste. However, If the total waste collected throughout the Borough which is contaminated is over 10% we are fined so it is essential we all ensure we reduce the amount of contaminated waste in our green bins to help save on expensive landfill costs and protect our local environment.”

If you have any queries on what materials should be deposited in green bins, please contact Craigavon Borough Council’s Recycling Officer Jennifer Wilson on 3831 2467 or email [email protected]