Bring banks warning
HOUSHOLDERS using bottle banks over the busy festive season were warned that a fine will ensure if they leave recycling material outside thr banks, even if they are full.
Cllr. Joanna Byrne told the meeting that the concerns had been raised last Christmas that bring banks across the county were not being maintained, as many people were turning up to find them full.
She added that figures showed 170 tonnes of glass had been collected, but it didn’t seem enough.
She asked if the bins could be emptied more frequently over the Christmas period, adding: ‘Can we be pro-active and not reactive?’
Cllr. John McGahon agreed, saying there was a very similar problem in Carlingford. He asked what people were meant to do if they turned up with their glass bottles only to find the banks full.
He also highlighted how people has received €150 fines, even if they left carefully left bottles beside the banks if they were full.
Cllr. Maeve Yore added: ‘I think we are targetting the wrong people.’
But Director of Service, Catherine Duff responded: ‘We are not targetting the wrong people.’ She warned that people should not leave items beside bins if they are full.
She added that the council would look at the frequency of the banks being emptied over Christmas.
Cllr.Erin McGreehan argued that clear signs should be placed at bring banks warning people that they will be fined if items are left at bins.
‘ There are honest people leaving recycling there, in good faith that it will be collected. People don’t believe they are breaking the law, there needs to be more signs at these sites.’