'More recycling banks needed around Kells'

A call for recycling banks to be provided at appropriate locations around Kells town centre has been made by local town councillor, Sarah Reilly. She made the call in light of recent price increases at civic amenity facilities across the county, including the Kells facility at the local business park. "The price increase from €2 to €3 to enter the civic amenity facility is hefty for those who simply want to dispose of their weekly glass/tin rubbish. I have no doubt that many residents are simply putting their recyclable waste into the ordinary bins, which is unsatisfactory. If free recycling banks were provided in the town, I believe recycling would become a more attractive option for people," she said. "As subscribers to the North-East Waste Management Plan, Kells has a duty to be proactive and assist people to fulfil their recycling obligations. I fear we are failing in this regard. I appreciate that, in the past, Kells had problems with people dumping at town recycling units. This, however, is not a sufficient argument to negate our responsibility to provide a comprehensive waste management service," said Cllr Reilly. She said in many other towns, CCTV cameras have been erected at bring banks and this has been proven to curb the problem. "Residents of the town must also be encouraged to report illegal dumping and significant fines must be served on those who offend," she added. Cllr Reilly pointed out that the Kells Civic Amenity Site is an excellent facility. "We are very privileged to have one and I believe, as a community, we should be making better use of the service it provides. Unfortunately, many people are not aware that such facilities are obliged to accept waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) for recycling free of charge, which is a great recycling incentive. I have been assured that, in the coming weeks, proper signage will be erected at the entrance, highlighting that those entering with WEEE items only do not have to pay the €3 entrance fee," added Cllr Reilly. She said the facility accepts a very broad range of items, from car batteries to mobile phones. She added that anyone who has not visited the centre would be very pleasantly surprised by the range of options it provides and she urged anyone who has not been to the facility to fill up their car with items to be recycled and visit it.