THE ‘bring bank’ recycling containers operated by Redditch Borough Council are to be removed as the authority bids to reduce fly-tipping, littering and other anti-social behaviour.
The withdrawal, which the authority says will also save it cash, will take place this month.
The banks, which offer drop off points for glass, paper and card and plastic, cost the council thousands of pounds-a-year to run and, despite the borough having a recycling rate of 31 per cent, the containers only equate to one per cent towards it.
The authority added Redditch’s four bring banks were often misused by commercial organisations which dumped their recyclables and other items there to avoid paying fees.
Bring banks need to be cleaned weekly which costs at least £12.30 per site per week and other costs are incurred when one-off fly-tip clearances have to be done.
Redditch Borough Council leader Councillor Bill Hartnett said: “Once upon a time this was the only way residents could recycle, but now our kerbside collection service means the bring banks are becoming obsolete and misused.
“It is the end of an era but in a world that is constantly changing we must move with the times, weigh up the statistics and deliver services people will use.”
The authority said residents would still be able to recycle excess waste – such as bottles or cardboard from parties or around Christmas – at one the household waste site at Crossgates Road, Park Farm.
Residents who find they regularly have too many recyclables for their green bins can request an additional green bin.
Visit www.redditchbc.gov.uk for more information or call 01527 881715.
