Bryson Recycling apologises as ANB Council agrees recovery plan over missed bins

A recovery plan has been agreed between Bryson Recycling and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in a bid to address missed bin collections across the borough.

Bryson Recycling reported a “positive meeting” with the council’s chief executive, Richard Baker, earlier this week to discuss ongoing problems with the collection service.

A spokesperson for Bryson Recycling said:

“We discussed the issues being raised and also the actions required to get our service back to a steady state as soon as possible.

“We have agreed a recovery plan with the council and continue to work closely with council officers. We have recruited additional staff who are currently being trained and will be delivering front-line services in the coming days.

“We are working very hard to resolve these issues and would like to sincerely apologise to residents for any inconvenience caused.”

Missed bin collections across the borough were raised at a meeting of the council’s Operations Committee at Antrim Civic Centre on Monday evening.

Airport Sinn Féin councillor Annemarie Logue said there have been widespread complaints about bin collections, which she described as “totally below sub-standard”.

She said some black bins have not been collected since December 18, while some triple-stack recycling bins have also been missed.

Michael Laverty, the council’s director of environmental services and sustainability, said both Bryson Recycling and Avenue, another waste contractor, have experienced problems with collections.

Dunsilly DUP alderman Linda Clarke said she has received multiple complaints about bins not being collected in the Randalstown area.

“One resident has not received any service in 12 weeks,” she claimed.

Macedon Ulster Unionist councillor Robert Foster warned that people are “losing confidence in recycling and are beginning to put recyclable items into black bins”.

Antrim DUP councillor Paul Dunlop BEM said residents are “frustrated” following the rollout of the wheelie-box recycling system in the Antrim area last year.

Bryson Recycling is also expected to attend a full meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council at the end of the month to answer questions in the council chamber.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has been asked for comment.