The future is black, brown, blue! Mid & East Antrim Council decide to say ‘goodbye’ to kerbie boxes

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has reportedly made a significant decision behind closed doors during its monthly meeting on Thursday, 3 April, to harmonise household waste services across the borough.

The move aims to streamline recycling processes and address long-standing resident concerns.

The decision will phase out the red kerbside recycling boxes, which many residents have found cumbersome and impractical, particularly in poor weather conditions. The boxes have been a source of frustration for households struggling with their limited capacity and exposure to the elements.

Last year, council members reviewed the borough’s waste management practices and learned that 17% of waste discarded in black bins consists of food, while 57% of the total waste is recyclable. The council’s landfill rate stood at 35.3%, a notable increase of 2.4% compared to the same period in 2022, and more than double the Northern Ireland average of 16.8% for council-collected waste.

During those discussions, Braid DUP Alderman William McCaughey, now mayor, questioned, “What are other councils doing that Mid and East Antrim isn’t?” A council officer explained that blue bin waste in other areas is sorted off-site, contributing to higher recycling efficiency.

Larne Lough Ulster Unionist Councillor Roy Beggs highlighted that councils using blue bins for recycling tend to achieve “higher recycling rates,” prompting further exploration of the approach.

On Thursday, 3 April, councillors reviewed several reports on waste and dry recycling harmonisation in a private session.

Today, Friday, 11 April, Councillor Archie Rae confirmed that a decision has been reached and shared details of what this will mean for residents across the borough:

Ballymena and Carrickfergus:

Residents will receive a new blue wheelie bin, complementing the existing black and brown bins.

The blue bin will accept paper, cardboard, glass, plastics, and other recyclables, with collections occurring on a fortnightly cycle.

Larne:

Households will continue using their black, brown, and blue bins, but will no longer need to separate glass items, simplifying the process. The frequency of collections will remain unchanged.

This overhaul is expected to be warmly welcomed by many residents, who have long called for a more efficient and user-friendly recycling system.

The initiative aligns Mid and East Antrim with best practices seen in other councils, potentially boosting recycling rates and reducing landfill dependency.

Love Ballymena has contacted Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for further comment.

Article update: Read Council response by tapping here.