“Totally unacceptable”: Councillors demand guarantees not just apologies from Bryson

Bryson Recycling has apologised to householders following widespread disruption to recycling collections, as councils across Mid and East Antrim and Antrim and Newtownabbey move to address growing public frustration.

The waste contractor issued a statement online on Friday, 16 January, acknowledging recent service delays and outlining steps being taken to restore normal collections.

“Disruptions to our collection services recently are a result of staff shortages, weather conditions and higher volumes of recycling that we typically see at this time of year. We apologise for any delays you have experienced as a result,” the statement said.

Bryson confirmed it has introduced a recruitment drive to tackle driver shortages, describing the situation as a national challenge facing the waste sector.

“To address these issues: We have a robust recruitment plan in place. This is proving effective to address the driver shortages we have experienced, which is a national issue and one of the most challenging our industry has faced,” the company added.

Crews are now working extended hours in an effort to clear the backlog.

“Our crews are working exceptionally hard to clear the backlog of recycling and our priority is to return to normal service levels as quickly as possible. This includes collecting on evenings and weekends.”

The company also acknowledged pressure on its customer contact services, saying: “Our office team priority is to answer your calls as quickly as possible, though our phone lines are busier than usual. We apologise for any delay you may experience.”

Council action in Mid and East Antrim

The disruption was discussed behind closed doors earlier this week at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council at The Braid in Ballymena.

In a subsequent statement, a council spokesperson confirmed that the authority had recognised ongoing service failures in the Ballymena and Carrickfergus areas.

“We have recognised the level of recycling box collection service disruption from Bryson Recycling in the Ballymena and Carrickfergus areas,” the spokesperson said.

“Service issues have been compounded by sustained driver shortages and unprecedented sickness levels within their organisation.”

To minimise further impact on residents, the council has introduced a temporary evening ‘mop-up’ service using its own staff.

“To improve the service for our residents, council front-line staff will be temporarily operating an evening ‘mop-up’ service. This will be assessed on a daily basis as it will be entirely resource-dependent. This will cover any missed recycling collections only.”

The council stressed that residents should continue to present recycling boxes as normal and reassured householders that materials collected by council vehicles will still be recycled.

“Box recycling waste will continue to be recycled even when collected in a MEA Council vehicle. This waste will be sent for recycling via the same process as the Larne blue bin and glass waste.”

Residents are being encouraged to report missed collections via the waste helpdesk email, with the council warning of longer call waiting times due to high demand. Missed collections should not be reported before 4pm on the scheduled collection day.

“There will be no additional cost to council or ratepayers as we will recover the costs directly from Bryson,” the spokesperson added.

Growing public frustration

The scale of the disruption has been highlighted by local representatives. In an online post, Knockagh DUP Councillor Peter Johnston said some residents in his constituency have not had recycling bins lifted since 10 December.

Bryson has advised affected householders to leave recycling containers out for collection and to use overflow bags if necessary, ensuring each bag contains only one type of material. Glass should continue to be placed inside recycling containers.

The company thanked residents for their “patience and understanding” during the ongoing disruption.

Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough: Special council meeting scheduled

Meanwhile, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is set to hold a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday 20 January 2025 at 6.30pm in the Chamber at Mossley Mill, amid continuing concern over service standards.

The local authority contracted its general waste services to Bryson in June 2023. More recently, in September 2025, the council transitioned from household recycling via blue wheelie bins to a stacked wheelie box system. However, many residents across the borough have since called for a return to the blue wheelie bin scheme.

Ahead of Tuesday night’s special meeting, a pre-meeting agenda states:

“Despite an assurance given by Bryson, our constituents continue to experience a far from satisfactory service. We therefore request a meeting, with or without Bryson representation, to collectively voice our concerns and consider the recovery.”

Councillors will receive a presentation outlining the background to council engagement with Bryson, a performance report and details of the company’s recovery plan. In closed session, members will also be briefed on the Bryson contract and operational contingency measures.

Antrim DUP Councillor Paul Dunlop BEM

Speaking to Love Ballymena on Friday evening (16 January), Antrim DUP Councillor Paul Dunlop BEM said residents were demanding more than assurances.

“It is my hope that Tuesday evening’s full Council meeting will deliver genuine guarantees to the borough’s residents, rather than misleading promises,” he said.

“As councillors, we demand assurance that the worst of the disruption to bin collection services is now behind us, and that ratepayers will finally receive the reliable service they pay for and deserve.”

He added: “If we secure that commitment, the meeting will have been worthwhile.”

Councillor Dunlop said disruption across the borough has been severe, with some households now facing extended periods without collections.

“Regrettably, a number of areas were again missed today, with crews due out tomorrow to address them. Some households have now gone two weeks without any collection whatsoever, and this situation is totally unacceptable.”