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Wirral Council investigation after bins ‘emptied in wrong wagon’



AN INVESTIGATION has been launched in Wirral after allegations that bin collectors have emptied recycling bins into waste headed for landfill.

The council said it had been informed of the allegations and was investigating the claims – and, if true, those responsible could face disciplinary action.

Conservative councillor Chris Blakeley had passed on one of the reports that the contents of a grey bin – used for recycling paper, cans, and glass and plastic bottles – had been emptied into the same bin wagon as a green bin, which takes non-recyclable waste.

A letter from one of his constituents last week said: “My complaint is that, having waited since December 27 for a green bin collection and January 2 for a grey bin collection, a vehicle turned up today and emptied both green and grey bins into the same vehicle.

“I understand the disruption, but I am really annoyed that my efforts to recycle are treated with such contempt.” Cllr Blakeley said he was told by the authority there had been three separate claims that this had happened and the council was in contact with Biffa, who have the waste and recycling contract for Wirral.

Cllr Blakeley said: “I was told this was the third report they had received and there have been interviews with crews.”

He said: “If people see recycling waste being put in with waste from the green bins, they are going to start asking why they are bothering to recycle at all, and we may as well return to weekly collections.”

Bin collections in Wirral, and across Merseyside, had been hit by the snowfall and some residents said they had gone for almost a month without having their bins collected.

As crews battled to catch up on missed collections, the council asked people to store recyclables in a dry place, as that refuse was not being prioritised.

According to council figures, Wirral is currently reusing, recycling or composting over 39% of household waste.

However, a spokeswoman for Wirral Council said: “We do not under any circumstances allow green and grey bins waste to go into the same wagon.”

She said mixing the waste would be a disciplinary offence for the bin collectors, and added: “This is being investigated, and appropriate action will be taken if it is found this has happened.”


THE POST

FFS!

Hardly the end of the world

I think the environmental cost will be offset against the days the bin lorrys couldnt get out due to the snow.....

The sad thing is the tw@ts who complained would have whined about the fact that their grey bins were still full if the lads hadn't emptied them. And as for their "efforts to recycle" I'll give you any odds that their green bins had recyclables in them anyway.

I'm certain it happened in our road cos I only heard one wagon turn up but when I went to retrieve what I thought was my empty green bin, the grey one was also empty. It's unfortunate but in the circumstances it isn't the end of the world, like Beaker said.

For all of you "weekly collection zealots" ther may be hope.

Recent advances in technology may allow recylcable waste to be separated out of a single stream from households but I wonder if Wirral will sort that out.....

I got fed up with the sheer amount of recyclable rubbish+ in the end put it in black bags to be collected with the green. So shoot me!
If i still had a car id have took it to asda.

I got fed up with the sheer amount of recyclable rubbish+ in the end put it in black bags to be collected with the green. So shoot me!
If i still had a car id have took it to asda.

Strikes me that they can't do right for doing wrong

If they'd come out in the ice and crashed into cars people would have said they shouldn't have come out so you're right Softy