The new recycling dividers provided by Telford & Wrekin Council are quite literally a load of rubbish after it was revealed this week they don’t fit in people’s bins.
Town resident Brenda Flowers, from Springfield Avenue said the divider she was supplied with does not fit in her regular black bin.
And because they are solely designed for the new red bins they are completely useless to many people in the town.
Mrs Flowers said: “One of the council’s contractors came round to deliver my recycling divider but he didn’t realise that they are only suitable for the red bins. So I will have to carry on as usual and mix everything together.
“I have been in touch with the council about this and they have said they are trying to purchase more red bins but when that will happen I do not know.
“But they are not providing dividers for the black ones.
“They could have done a bit more research to see who has what. And I know that a lot of the houses around here do not have the new bins so a great many areas will be affected.
“I would estimate about a third of the bins are incompatible and everybody who is affected needs to write in to highlight the problem or there will be no action.
“Each divider will cost and they are useless to us.”
The news comes after the council recently asked for views on their waste and re-cycling services with public consultation running until Saturday, July 25.
And Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Steve Bentley has apologised explaining a number of residents will have received recycling equipment they cannot use.
He said: “We are now in the process of delivering new recycling containers and dividers to households across the borough.
“We are aware that a small number of residents are still using the older black boxes, for which the dividers weren’t designed.
“If you are struggling with your divider, please give us a call on 01952 384384 and we will either get a new divider or box to you as soon as we can.
“In the meantime you can continue to use your box for glass bottles and jars, food and drink cans, aerosols and aluminium foil.
“Our recycling teams will continue to empty these and sort the materials by hand as normal. We apologise for any inconvenience caused during the roll-out of the new equipment,” said Councillor Bentley.
By Sam Pinnington
