Ashbourne gearing up for major recycling event
Tonnes of waste expected to be gathered for collection as Bonner continues to push for permanent facility
A MAJOR recycling day will take place in Ashbourne Retail Park on Saturday 23rd April, where tonnes of waste are expected to be recycled.
The Ashbourne Community Recycling Day is organised by Cllr Joe Bonner who says he will continue to hold these recycling days as there is no recycling centre in the Ashbourne area.
"We are now in our 17th year of running and organising community recycling events throughout the county.”
“In recent years there have been up to three a year.
“These not for profit events help keep our countryside litter free and reduce unauthorised and illegal dumping, while continuing to promote a recycling policy," said Cllr Bonner.
“I will continue to fight in the council chamber for the provision of a recycling centre and until we have this facility, I will continue to organise community recycling days.
"Our recycling days provide an avenue for the community to conveniently dispose of bulky house waste at a fraction of the cost of doing so commercially. To date we have recycled well in excess of 2000 tonnes of bulky household waste.”
Cllr Bonner said they will take all recyclable waste except hazardous waste, concrete and gravel or grass and food waste.
Among the items most usually brought to the event are washing machines, fridges, freezers, old cookers, mattresses, hard plastic toys and old couches, but they accept all recyclable items.
All of the items presented for recycling in the retail park on Saturday can be fully traced to their final destination, according to Cllr Bonner.
“To make it affordable for all, and to help pay for the considerable running costs of these events, there is a modest charge for the disposal of household waste – there is a €10 charge for a car, €15 for a trailer, vans are €15 to €40 and horseboxes €50 to €80. The price for lorries and large trailers will be given on site.”
Anything with a plug or a battery including fluorescent tubes and used batteries will be accepted free of charge.
This will include the disposal of IT equipment, large domestic appliances, dishwashers, fridges, microwaves, televisions, monitors, video players, radios, game consoles, electric lawnmowers, power tools, electric kettles and electric heaters. Any batteries will be accepted.
“We will take documents for shredding and this will be carried out to the highest standards,” Cllr Bonner said.
“The Bring a Book Share a Book scheme is very popular and was a great resource to many in recent times. I am always willing to accept books in excellent condition for our stands in the various locations.”
Cllr Bonner said that in association with the recycling events, they partnered with N2 Auto Salvage to remove unwanted vehicles from estates and the countryside.
“This project has been an outstanding success. N2 Auto Salvage have collected these vehicles free of charge from housing estates, back lanes, ditches, underground car parks, back gardens. The collected vehicles were depolluted, crushed and end of life vehicle certs were issued.
“N2 have agreed to continue with this project and are once again making this service available to the community at this recycling event.”
There will be free garden compost available to customers on recycling day, while stocks last.
“I wish to thank all the volunteers who continually help me with these events, our sponsors, the retail park owners, Meath County Council for their welcome support and the public who return time after time to support the events.
“I also want to thank our two service providers ERP and Thornton’s Recycling for providing such a professional and excellent service.”
Cllr Bonner stressed that they do no have anyone collecting door-to-door prior to the event.