Mid and East Antrim homes could get weekly food waste collections
It was one of a number of proposals outlined by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in a report to councillors at a meeting on Tuesday evening.
Under the new proposals, businesses would also be required to separate food waste for collection.
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Hide AdThey may also be required to separate other waste for recycling if laws are introduced to increase recycling of non-households municipal waste. DAERA has proposed “maximising business recycling whilst alleviating the cost burden on businesses”.
DAERA has also proposed that councils should reduce black bin waste.
Mid and East Antrim has already outlined plans to supply households in the borough with a smaller black bin.
Councils would also be required to collect a “core set of dry recyclable material” at kerbside. This would be glass bottles and containers, paper and card, plastic bottles, plastic pots tubs and trays and steel and aluminium tins and cans.
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Hide AdThe borough council has applied to DAERA for £4.2m funding in a bid to introduce a uniform waste collection system and reduce landfill costs.
Concern has been expressed among residents over the capacity of the triple stack system which is expected to replace blue bins in Larne and kerbside boxes in Carrickfergus and Ballymena. Existing brown bins for food and garden waste will still be used.
The proposals were outlined in a discussion document “Future Recycling and Separate Collection of Waste of a Household Nature in Northern Ireland” published by DAERA for consideration by local authorities.
The council’s director of Operations, Philip Thompson, told councillors the triple stack bin system enables “flexibility and capacity” for food waste collections on a weekly basis.
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Hide Ad“Another issue raised is about the quality of recyclables. There is a drive on and a push for higher quality material. That ties in with the system we have proposed.
“Triple stack provides quality recycling local manufacturers want.”
Larne Lough Alliance Councillor Danny Donnelly, who has been trialling a triple stack bin at home for two months, said: “I find it very easy to use to separate use into three containers, a very robust, stable system.” Read more here
Coast Road Alliance Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna said she welcomed the conversation which gives everyone an opportunity to engage.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.
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