U-turn on closure of civic amenity sites

CORK County Council has rolled back on its decision to close down its civic amenity sites following a massive upsurge in demand .

The authority had previously said all of the sites dotted around the county, including those in Mallow, Millstreet, Kanturk and Macroom, would close from last Monday until further notice.

This after the amenity sites had not been specifically listed as an essential service following last Friday’s Government announcement and would generally require the public to travel more than the stated 2km distance to access them.

A council spokesperson had requested that instead people store recyclable materials at home until the restrictions were and normal service resumed. They further warned that waste left on the ground at bring sites or left outside civic amenity sites would be classed as littering and would lead to prosecution.

However, in light of the fact that amenity sites have experienced an estimated 80% increase in activity over the past two weeks, the authority reviewed the decision and will now open the sites for what it termed as the disposal of ‘essential waste only’.

The council spokesperson said it was important that members of the public took note the service was subject to compliance with the conditions listed below:

* Service will be provided only for acceptance of essential waste, to discourage unnecessary journeys

* The sites will accept normal domestic waste only. This includes black bag waste for disposal, limited to three bags maximum per customer along with domestic bottles and cans for recycling.

* Black bag waste for disposal should have the bag tied securely and then placed into a second bag and tied.

* No commercial vehicles or trailers will be allowed access.

* Only one person per vehicle can enter the site.

* All waste must be placed in the receptacles by the public. .

* Payment for black bag waste will be on a price of €4.00 per bag.

*As the sites will not be accepting garden waste, timber and metal waste, bulky items, WEEE, oils or paints etc, the normal €3 entry charge will be waived for the period of the current health protection measures being in place.

* Customers are requested to bring the exact payment.