Release date: 14.05.08
Ref: BBC/PR/ENV/11/08

The garden waste scheme roll out to costal areas has been delayed because of a European shortage of plastic bins.

Head of Public Protection Jan Anderson said:
“There has been an unfortunate delay to the start of the garden waste scheme extension to coastal villages by circumstances beyond our control.

“Despite ordering the bins in good time we have been let down by the manufacturer and it has become apparent that there is a European shortage of plastic bins due, it is thought, to Eastern European countries swamping the market with massive orders. We have tried to find other manufacturers but they are in the same position and their delivery dates vary from September to March 2009.

“We’ve considered collecting the waste in compostable bags but due to health and safety risks to employees lifting heavy bags this has had to be ruled out.

“We know that residents in these areas are eager to join the scheme which makes it even more frustrating that everything is ready to go, except for the one essential item, the wheeled bin.

“The garden waste scheme in the Berwick area has grown over the last two years and over 410 residents now take part with over 118 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill in the 2007 season. We hoped that this would increase with the extension of the scheme,” she said.

A letter has been sent to everyone who registered for the scheme to explain the delay. Garden waste can be taken to your nearest Waste Recovery Site at North Sunderland and at North Road Industrial Estate in Berwick.