Mar 02, 2020 12:45 GMT

Less waste, more money with rollout ofproposed new waste collections

A proposed new system of waste recycling would see households in Mid andEast Antrim play their part in reducing landfill while generating savings ofaround £6.5m for better public services and facilities in their areas.

Extensive research carried out by Council, supported by the Department forAgriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and WRAP (Waste andResources Action Programme), shows that more than 50% of the wastecurrently being sent to landfill could be recycled using the services currentlyprovided.

The new initiative, which is subject to funding from DAERA, would see theintroduction of a new weekly Wheelie Box system, which provides morespace for recycling, in addition to a new 180-litre black bin and the existing240-litre brown bin – meaning an overall increase in waste capacity of 30litres a fortnight.

The changes would make it easier than ever to recycle, with more householditems including glass, textiles and household batteries all accepted as well aspaper, card, plastic tubs, cans, tins, aerosols and food tins which are currentlypermitted.

The proposed changes to domestic recycling in Mid and East Antrim will notonly improve the quality of the items reaching recycling centres but willallow householders to recycle even more.

A Council spokesperson said: “Sorting the items into the new Wheelie Boxesmeans there would be less contamination as the recyclables will be sorted atthe kerbside. That is very significant because more than 50% of wastecurrently being sent to landfill could be recycled.

“Estimated savings in the region of £6.5m over 10 years, achieved due to therollout of the new system, would be reinvested into improved facilities andservices across the borough.

“Protecting our environment is key objective for our Council, and weencourage everyone to help us become part of the global change needed toensure our environment is safeguarded for generations to come.”

Subject to funding, all 58,200 local households in Mid and East Antrim willbe notified as to when the new system would take effect, as well as anyguidance and information required regarding the changes.

Ballymena and Carrickfergus would be the first to make the change, followedby Larne.

It is hoped all areas would be using the new system within 18 months fromconfirmation of funding.

More detailed information about using the proposed new weekly Wheelie

Boxes can be found on www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/newbinfaqs.

Notes to editors:

• For Mid and East Antrim Borough Council media enquiries T: 0282563 5037 E: communications@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

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Contacts

Press OfficePress ContactCommunications@midandeastantrim.gov.uk 028 2563 5037

Chris KilpatrickPress ContactHead of Communicationschris.kilpatrick@midandeastantrim.gov.uk07721 302 568

Annamay McNallyPress ContactPress Officerannamay.mcnally@midandeastantrim.gov.uk07721 305 586

Claire TennysonPress ContactPress Officerclaire.tennyson@midandeastantrim.gov.uk07764 566 273

Deborah CummingsPress ContactPress Officerdeborah.cummings@midandeastantrim.gov.uk07920 544 094

Megan MackayPress ContactPress Officermegan.mackay@midandeastantrim.gov.uk07827 802 643