05 : 51 am |10th September 2010

News

10% OF NORTHERN IRISH HOMES GET TO RECYCLE WITH KERBIE

02/08/2004

Over 10% of households in Northern Ireland will soon be able to recycle from home, thanks to a new contract won by the community enterprise Bryson House Recycling.

The deal - a joint contract with Banbridge and Armagh District Councils – will see the provision of weekly recycling services to 15,000 more households from spring 2005, adding to the 55,000 already served by Bryson House Recycling in Northern Ireland.

A home in Northern Ireland produces, on average, over a tonne of rubbish each year, of which only 8.9%* ends up being recycled. Councils in the Province have been set a recycling target of recovering 40% of household waste by 2010*, it is hoped that the expansion of home recycling will help to achieve this goal.

The doorstep services will collect a wide range of materials from residents, including paper, glass, cans, textiles and foil. If homes fully use the service, they will be able to recycle up to 40% of their rubbish.

The contract, worth £2 million over the next three years, has been won by Bryson House Recycling less than a year after the joint venture was formed between Bryson House, Northern Ireland’s oldest charity and ECT, the UK’s largest community recycling organisation. The expanded service will build on an existing recycling scheme provided by Bryson House since April 2003 to both councils.

Commenting on the news, Eric Randall, Director of Recycling for Bryson House Recycling, said:

“This investment demonstrates how much commitment there is towards improving the environment. We want to capitalise upon this commitment and that means ensuring that recycling doesn’t feel like a chore. That’s why we aim to provide a recycling service that is reliable, regular and, above all, easy-to-use.”

“We are also pleased that the councils involved have chosen to award the contracts to a community organisation. We aim to mix the best of the business world with the values of the public and community sectors. Customers deserve good services but they also need to know that the operators are acting in the best interests of them, the environment and society as a whole”

Cllr Eric Speers, Mayor of Armagh City and District Council also commented that:

“Armagh is pleased to award this contract to Bryson House and is confident that they will deliver an efficient and effective service. This new contract means that every household in the council area will be able to recycle from home, giving residents yet another way in which they can help improve the environment.”

Speaking on behalf of Banbridge District Council, Cllr Ian Burns, Chairman, Banbridge District Council, said:

“Banbridge District Council is very pleased to consolidate its relationship with Bryson House Recycling. We are confident that this partnership will continue to work both for the benefit of householders and the environment.”

ENDS