Release date: 29.09.08
Ref: BBC/PR/ENV/22/08

Money which new customers have paid Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council for this year’s garden waste scheme will be refunded shortly because the Council is still unable to provide a wheelie bin.

Head of Public Protection Jan Anderson said:
“When we considered extending the garden waste collection scheme at the beginning of 2008 we never expected to still be waiting for a delivery of bins in September.

“The demand from European countries has outstripped supply and like other councils, despite our best efforts in chasing up manufacturers, the wait continues. We are hoping that the bins will be delivered to us in October but suppliers have not met previous promises.

“We are very frustrated as we know there are many residents who are keen to join the scheme in Berwick town centre and the coastal villages. One hundred and seventeen tonnes of garden waste has been recycled rather than going into landfill this year because of the scheme and it is frustrating because this figure could have been higher if we had got our bin delivery.

“We can only apologise for this delay and we will be returning the money new customers have paid to join the scheme because we cannot provide them with a service. If we get the bins in October we will contact customers again to see if they would like the service at a reduced rate until December when it stops for the winter,” she said.