People urged to use Shropshire’s recycling banks responsibly

Some of the waste left next to the paper banks at Oswald Road in Oswestry recently

People are being urged to properly use the county’s recycling ‘bring banks’ after a rise in the amount of general and trade waste being left at the sites.

Bring banks are currently provided at 100 sites across Shropshire by Shropshire Council and Veolia, to enable people to recycle household waste including cans, glass, paper, clothing and drinks cartons.

However, the bring banks sites are experiencing three issues:

• People placing the wrong materials in the banks.
• People leaving general household waste alongside the banks.
• Business using the sites to dump trade waste.

The problem has been particularly apparent at the Oswald Road (Morrisons) bring bank site in  Oswestry (see photos).

Photograph taken at Oswald Road bring bank site in Oswestry in summer 2018

Putting the wrong material in a bank causes the waste in the bank to become contaminated, meaning that it can’t then be sent for recycling.

Waste left alongside the banks is also classed as fly-tipping, which is illegal and could result in prosecution. It also costs the council time and money to clear and dispose of.

Joyce Barrow, Cabinet member responsible for waste management, said:

“The recycling banks are provided to enable people to quickly and easily recycle household waste and many people are using them correctly and as intended. However, inappropriate use of the banks is sadly becoming increasingly common.
“We therefore feel we need to remind people what the banks are for, to address what is a growing problem.
“We’re working hard to tackle the problem but if the sites continue to be used in this way we will have to seriously consider what further action may be necessary.”

A sofa was amongst the waste left at Oswald Road bring bank site in Oswestry last July

For more information about the location of Shropshire bring banks, go to shropshire.gov.uk/waste.