Mid and East Antrim triple stack bins cost revealed

The new triple stack bins planned for Mid and East Antrim will cost £4.2m to roll out.
Triple stack bins.Triple stack bins.
Triple stack bins.

The borough council, which is reviewing its waste collection policy, has applied to the Department of Agriculture,Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) for funding.

At a remote meeting of the council on Monday evening, councillors were seeking reassurances over the new provision.

Concern was expressed over the capacity of the triple stack system which is expected to replace blue bins in Larne and kerbside boxes in Carrickfergus and Ballymena.

Householders will also be supplied with a smaller black bin although existing brown bins will still be used.

DUP Larne Lough Councillor Andrew Clarke asked if larger householders will still be able to avail of an additional bin or if “people will have to jump through hoops to get that”.

Currently over 1,300 people have signed an online petition urging a rethink by council on the triple stack bins.

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr Peter Johnston, noted that waste management remains one of the highest revenue spends for council.

Councillors were advised by chief executive Anne Donaghy it costs £9m annually.

“It is something we have to get right”, she stated.

She indicated she is “very hopeful” the council will secure the £4.2m  funding needed to implement the new system.

She noted the trolley-based system for the triple stack bins would enable “ease of movement for council”.

“In order to get funding, we have to show that we are increasing the amount of material we are recycling and reducing what is going to landfill

“In eight years time, landfill will be completed saturated. We have to make a move now especially while funding is available.”

Existing black bins with a 240 litre capacity will be replaced with those for 180 litres. These and brown bins will continue to be lifted every two weeks. The triple stack boxes which hold 165 litres will be emptied weekly. The blue bins will be removed.

The chief executive added: “It is absolutely critical to manage the waste not only for the environment but for our carbon footprint.

“As things become scarce, they become more expensive, landfill has a limited amount of years left. We have a duty in terms of our ratepayers money to move to recycling.”

She went on to say the council is also seeking funding from DAERA for a new “much-needed” £1.2m household recycling centre at Sullatober in Carrickfergus.

The chief executive was asked by Bannside TUV Alderman Stewart McDonald if excess bins will be provided with the triple stack system.

He was told the triple stack will be emptied weekly and households will be supplied with a 180 litre black bin.

Carrick Ald Billy Ashe asked if larger households can get a second bin if they need it.

The chief executive said households of more than a certain number “will get the extra bin that they are used to”.

DUP Larne Lough Ald Paul Reid commented: “We need to get it out to our electorate there is not a reduction but it is an increase.”

Sinn Fein Coast Road Cllr James McKeown asked if a household that has someone with a disability could still receive an extra bin. He was told that would be permitted.

Meanwhile Braid Alliance Cllr Muriel Burnside told the meeting she has a triple stack bin on trial which she considered to be “fantastic”.

She said she believed the fact it is on a trolley would be “wonderful” for disabled householders.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

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