A heavily pregnant Glenanne resident is requesting clarity from Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council surrounding the collection of ‘cracked or taped’ bins after hers were left unemptied for four weeks.
The woman contacted Armagh I frustrated by the lack of clarity and by the fact that she would be left paying for a new bin, its delivery fee, and for her current bin to be emptied and removed.
At 40 weeks pregnant, the woman complained about the lack of communication from council workers, which has left her running to recycling centres in a bid to tackle the problem herself.
And, she says, she is not alone.
Speaking to Armagh I, the woman said: “It’s not just me. There are about five of us in my development who haven’t had their bins collected.
“I was told it was down to an incident where some rubbish fell from a cracked bin in this particular area and I understand that it may not be safe but I was left for four weeks and no one told me it was an issue.
“In the coming weeks I will soon be having nappies to add to the waste! It’s not ideal having it in the bin for weeks on end encouraging rats and all sorts of problems.”
Coincidentally, Armagh I was contacted the following day by a Mountnorris resident who expressed similar concerns.
They said: “Now it seems Armagh bin men won’t lift black bins that are cracked.
“My black bin has had a crack in for two years and only now they won’t lift them.
“There are loads of bins in Mountnorris not lifted due to cracks and we are told to ring council and buy new bins.”
According to the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council website the cost of replacing a black bin varies with a 140 litre bin costing £31.30, a 240 litre bin costing £33.50 and a 360 litre bin costing £53.50 – with all prices inclusive of delivery.
The Glenanne resident we spoke to found this to be a considerable charge, especially for the elderly.
She said: “I don’t necessarily mind paying it but I think it’s a lot for some people, for those with several children at home or for older people living alone.”
The expectant mother had also been informed of a potential ‘bin replacement scheme’ for bins older than ten years but was unsure if this was accurate.
At this time no such scheme has been confirmed to exist by council.
Armagh I contacted the council for clarity.
A Council spokesperson said: “In line with our policy, waste collection crews will empty bins that are in sound condition.
“New bins purchased from local Council depots currently come with a 10-year warranty.
“The responsibility to replace older, damaged bins rests with the householder.”
