Don’t burn additional waste - Council urges

As lockdown continues into the summer, Ballymena residents are being asked not to gather materials at traditional bonfire sites.
Council is also urging the public not to burn any additional waste during the coronavirus pandemic, instead directing residents to its Household Recyling Centres.Council is also urging the public not to burn any additional waste during the coronavirus pandemic, instead directing residents to its Household Recyling Centres.
Council is also urging the public not to burn any additional waste during the coronavirus pandemic, instead directing residents to its Household Recyling Centres.

Mid & East Antrim Council is also urging citizens right across the borough not to burn any additional waste during the coronavirus pandemic, instead directing residents to its Household Recyling Centres.

The burning of materials could cause a smoke problem for residents, as well as posing a significant fire risk, according to the local authority.

Council and its statutory partners continues to work closely with community groups across Mid and East Antrim and has commended their willingness to engage and support efforts to ensure social distancing guidelines are adhered to and unwanted items disposed of responsibly.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Maureen Morrow, said: “Community groups across the borough have shown their true community spirit throughout this pandemic by helping the most vulnerable. During the worst of times, as we face a public health crisis like never before, we are seeing the best of people.

“We are asking people to adhere to social distancing by not gathering at bonfire sites and to dispose of any waste correctly as is laid out on the Council’s website and social channels.”

Station Commander Alan Barr from Ballymena District, NIFRS said: “I welcome this appeal from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. When NIFRS responds to materials on fire at bonfire sites, crews are unnecessarily tied up when they may be needed elsewhere, such as a house fire or road traffic collision. Attending deliberate fires such as these during the COVID 19 situation further increases the danger to the public as crews may take longer to respond if they have to attend from other locations.”

Three Household Recycling Centres in Mid and East Antrim, including the Waveney Road site in Ballymena are open and Council would encourage people to check the website on how they can safely dispose of their waste.

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