Recycling banks misused by traders’

THE cardboard recycling banks in Topsham are to be removed due to misuse by traders, according to Exeter City Council.

The banks in Holman Way car park were introduced a few years ago as a trial to increase recycling in the area but will be removed at the end of January.

The city council's cleaning services said the banks were now being overused by traders when they were intended to be used by residents only and also increased fly tipping.

The head of cleaning services Mike Trim blamed the abuse of the banks on traders who were coming from outside the city to dump their waste.

He said: "Three years ago we set up a couple of banks but we have had to install six 1,100 litre banks which we have to collect three times a week.

"The banks have been very successful but there is no need for them anymore as the whole of Exeter has a kerbside collection.

"Anyway, these banks are only legally permitted to be used by residents because they are subsidised by the government."

The city council also offers a special trader collection for £3.50 a week to remove all their recyclable waste.

The city council will be keeping a close eye on the site after the cardboard banks are removed through community patrollers and CCTV surveillance.

If residents have a large quantity of cardboard which they want to recycle they can take it to the Civic Amenity site at Exton Road, Marsh Barton.

For more information on trader collections contact the council on (01392) 665010.