Comments or Questions?

Email: awc@newtownabbey.gov.uk

 

Increased Kerbie Box Collections

From 21st April 2008 Bryson Recycling will be increasing the Kerbie box collection from fortnightly to weekly, to allow residents to recycle as much as possible.

 

Alternate Weekly Collections Begin

Newtownabbey Borough Council launched AWC on 21st April. This is to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and to encourage people to recycle more. Many other councils in Northern Ireland are already operating a similar system.

 

AWC means that the brown and black bins will be collected on alternate weeks, i.e. one week the black bin is emptied, the following week the brown bin is emptied, the next week the black bin etc. Please note: the brown bin collection day will now be the same as the black bin day, but on alternate weeks.

 

In Newtownabbey we recycled approx 27% of all our waste in 2006/7. This is a great achievement and we thank all those residents who have been recycling regularly. However, only about 50% of householders are recycling. What about the other 50%? Our recycling rate could be so much higher if everyone was recycling.

 

Rising Cost of Landfill

Waste disposal costs the Council, and ratepayers, a lot of money. The cost of disposing general waste in landfill (landfill tax) rises by £8 per tonne every year so dumping thousands of tonnes of waste in landfill is becoming very expensive. If we recycled more we wouldn’t need to send so much to landfill, which would save us all money. In 2006/7, Newtownabbey Borough Council area produced approx 40,706 tonnes of waste and sent it to landfill. This is equivalent to the weight of 40,706 family cars, dumped in the ground. As the graph below shows, the amount of biodegradable waste that we are allowed to landfill is decreasing every year. In 2009/10 it will fall significantly. Apart from landfill diversion targets we also have recycling targets to meet. By 2010 we need to be recycling 35% of our waste. By 2015 that figure rises to 40% and by 2020 we need to be recycling 45%.

 

Strict EU Policies

If we do not change the way we deal with our waste, Newtownabbey Borough Council will be fined by the EU. If the council is fined, this will be reflected in householders’ rates bills. This is why we urge everyone to continue recycling as much as possible.

 

Northern Ireland Landfill Allowance Scheme - Newtownabbey Borough Council

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the Alternate Weekly Collection (AWC) Scheme?

Newtownabbey Borough Council (NBC) has changed bin collections to an alternate weekly collection scheme. Many other NI councils have already introduced similar schemes and are operating without problems.

 

The reason for introducing this change is to try to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and to encourage people to recycle more. Currently in the borough all the recycling schemes have a participation rate of approx 50%, meaning that half the borough are not regularly using the recycling facilities provided. If we expect to meet the NI Landfill Allowance Scheme targets we need to drastically increase our recycling activities so that as much waste as possible can be diverted from landfill. If we do not meet these targets the council will face fines from the EU and this will be reflected in householder’s rates.

 

Why is Newtownabbey Borough Council introducing the Scheme?

The Council introduced the alternate weekly collection scheme to make recycling more convenient and accessible for its ratepayers and to divert waste away from landfill. Only in this way can the council meet the waste diversion targets laid down by the European Union and Central Government. The Council has no choice but to meet these targets and make appropriate and necessary changes to bin collection schemes. It must modernise its waste management practices and find sustainable alternatives. If these EU targets are not achieved, the Council will face large fines that will have to be paid for by its ratepayers.

 

The suggestions that services have been diluted and the Scheme is a cost saving exercise are misguided. Every Council in Northern Ireland is faced with the same challenges and choices and is having to review how it manages its waste.

 

Will there be enough space in my black bin?

Provided householders make full use of their red 'Kerbie Box', Blue Bin and Brown Bin, they should be able to cope with a fortnightly collection of the black refuse bin. Householders should also make full use of Bruslee Recycling Centre for recycling of waste that may not be collected by the kerbside service e.g. electrical items, household batteries etc.

 

Why is it important to Recycle?

We all create waste. We need to start taking responsibility for that waste and for reducing it, reusing what we can and recycling as much of it as possible. If the Council is to meet its waste diversion targets, everyone must play their part. The Council cannot do this on its own. It needs its ratepayers’ full support and commitment.

 

The more households that participate and recycle their waste, the greater the Council's chances are of meeting the targets and avoiding fines. Newtownabbey Borough Council has already raised its recycling rate every year over the past 5 years but we still have a long way to go. Lets not forget that the environment benefits if we recycle. The more we recycle the less waste goes to landfill. Recycling uses much less energy and raw materials than making new products.

 

It is therefore in all our interests that we participate fully and embrace new waste management practices.

 

What can I do if I have excess refuse waste?

Householders are encouraged to try to Reduce the amount of waste brought into the home in the first place. By being more aware of packaging whilst shopping and not buying more than we need, we can keep large bulky, often non-recyclable waste, out of our homes, and therefore out of our bins. After all, the only reason we have waste in the first place is because we buy it.

 

If however you find that after sorting for recycling, there is excess waste, you may avail of the councils bulky collection service by calling 02890 340056/7. The council operates a 1 black bin per household policy.

 

Are bags allowed in Blue and Brown bins?

No. Plastic bags are seen as contaminants and should not be used in recycling bins. They cause problems at both the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and Composting Facility and can result in complete lorry loads being rejected and being sent to landfill.

 

Contamination can be described as a pollutant. In the recycling bins therefore, a contaminant is something that should not be there. It is important that contamination levels are kept to an absolute minimum. Only specified items should be included in your 'Kerbie' Box, Blue and Brown Bins. If you are unsure of what should go into your recycle bins, please contact the Cleansing Department on 028 90340056/7. A copy of the information leaflet can be found at ‘link’ (or is attached.) For information on the red kerbie box contact Bryson Recycling on 02890 848494. In cases where contamination is identified, the recycling bin will not be emptied. It is the responsibility of the householder to remove the contamination from the bin before it can be emptied. Once all the contamination has been removed call 02890340056/7 for the bin to be emptied.

 

Is Newtownabbey the only Council operating an Alternate Weekly Collection?

No. Most other Councils in Northern Ireland and many in England are also operating kerbside collection services on an alternate week basis. Newtownabbey Borough Council is one of the last Northern Irish councils to take the step to Alternate Weekly Collections and we are confident that it will increase our recycling rate and help avoid heavy fines from the EU.

 

Why Alternate Weekly Collection?

Although the frequency of collection of the Grey/Black Bin has been reduced, this has been supplemented with a more frequent collection of the Kerbie Box. If the blue and brown bin as well as the kerbie box are fully utilised, this should allow you to divert around 50% of the waste in your Grey/Black Bin, making a fortnightly collection possible. You should also make full use of the Council’s Household Recycling Centres to recycle those wastes that are not currently collected by the Alternate Weekly Collection.

 

Is this a reduction in the service I receive for my rates?

Services have not been withdrawn or diluted but modernised in response to new challenges. Whilst the Council is required to provide a waste collection service, the Council has discretion as to the level and type of service it provides.

 

Is a fortnightly collection safe?

Following consultation with the Council’s Environmental Health Service, and from a waste management perspective, provided the waste is contained within the bin and the lid kept shut, there is unlikely to be any health related implications for the householder. The bin is a sealed unit and has been specifically designed to safely contain various waste types, preventing any likely discharge whilst minimising odours. Odour, however, will be directly linked to what is contained within the bin.

 

Householders can take steps to minimise the likelihood of odours, such as keeping the waste tightly secured in plastic bags before being placed into the bin. Bins could also be washed out on a regular basis to ensure that all loose debris is removed from the bin. This will again minimise odour. Ultimately, the condition of any bin will be dependent upon the way in which it is managed. The councils Environmental Health advice can be downloaded here/is attached. Householders should also make full use of Bruslee Recycling Centre to recycle any extra recyclables they might have.

 

Can I get an extra kerbie box?

Bryson Recycling issue replacement boxes, lids and additional boxes to households when requested. Please contact Bryson Recycling on 028 90848494.

 

Why will the Council not lift my excess waste?

Newtownabbey Borough Council operates a no extra side waste policy.

 

The Council must make considerable reductions in the amount of waste being sent to landfill. The collection of extra bags only serves to undermine our endeavours to achieve this goal and meet the waste diversion targets.

 

The Council must encourage householders to not only Reuse and Recycle their waste but also Reduce the amount of waste they generate in the first place. Collecting additional refuse sacks is counter-productive to this aim.

 

What can I put in my brown bin?

Only garden waste can be disposed of in the brown bin. We hope that in the future we will be able to put kitchen waste in the brown bin but currently this is not possible. We will alert you to any changes as and when they happen

 

Should I bag the items in my brown bin?

No. All items should be placed loose in the brown bin. Bin Liners of any kind must not be used.

 

What if I do put the wrong things in my recycle bins?

One bin can contaminate an entire lorry load. In this case the load would have to be rejected for recycling. To minimise the likelihood of this happening, Refuse Crew members will carry out visual inspections of bins to ensure they do not contain the wrong materials. Bins identified as contaminated will not be emptied and a contamination sticker will be placed over the bin lid. Contaminants must be removed. Only then can the householder call Cleansing Services on 02890 340056/7 and they can arrange for it to be emptied another day.

 

I am physically unable to wheel my bin to the footpath, what can I do?

If you are unable to wheel your bin to the footpath, the Council can do it on your behalf, providing you submit a note from your doctor. Please contact Cleansing Services on 02890 340056/7 to arrange an assisted lift.

 

Anyone who applies for an assisted lift for their Grey/Black Bin will automatically get the same service for their Blue Bin, Brown Bin and Kerbie Box.

 

Can I purchase an additional black bin?

No. Newtownabbey Borough Council operates a 1 black refuse bin per household Policy.

 

Why can't I put kitchen waste into the Brown bin?

Currently Brown Bin waste is sent to a facility for Windrow Composting. This method of composting is unsuitable for composting kitchen waste. Kitchen waste needs to be treated in an enclosed processing facility. When appropriate infrastructure is put in place all kitchen/food waste will be allowed to go into the brown bin. Please note: You will be notified of any changes as and when they occur.

 

Why can I not recycle ALL my plastic containers?

At present plastic waste recycling in the UK is mainly based on single polymer waste streams, e.g. PET and HDPE, due to the lack and unreliability of end markets for mixed plastic waste. PET and HDPE are what your plastic bottles are made out of and what reprocessors are willing to accept. The Council cannot therefore accept other types of plastic wastes at this time.

 

New markets for materials are becoming available all the time and as soon as we are able to accept new materials for recycling, either in the recycling bins and box, or at Bruslee we will alert all residents.