Recycling withdrawn as wheelie bins replace blue bin at Picton marina

The big blue rubbish and recycling bins put into the Picton marina for the convenience of Marlborough Sounds residents and holidaymakers just over a year ago are to be replaced by wheelie bins.

The blue bins were installed so people coming in from the Sounds could easily dispose of their household rubbish and recycling and Council Solid Waste Manager Alec McNeil says the initial feedback was great when the blue bin went in at Christmas 2015.

“It was a lot easier for people getting off their boats with their bagged household rubbish – they didn’t need to drive away with it,” he said.

However people leaving rubbish stacked next to the bin, and the noise and odour from the dumping, has prompted the Council to review the refuse and recycling bins and consider replacing them with wheelie bins. This change will occur after the Easter holidays.

“The nearby tourist accommodation businesses were unhappy about the noise and smell which they associated with the bins and we have to be sensitive to their needs as Picton is a visitor centre,” said Mr McNeil.

“But the high use of the blue bins showed there’s a need for some kind of rubbish facility so we will try out wheelie bins instead. It cuts out the recycling opportunity but the wheelie bins are covered and there should be less noise and odour with them.”

The multi-collection vehicles which are required to set up a recycling system using wheelie bins are not currently available in Marlborough, he said.

Mr McNeil says wheelie bins will be installed in the London Quay area in support of the local tourist operators, who often bring back waste from the Sounds as they move people in and out of Picton by boat, and at the public boating ramp. A private company will service the bins.

He says the new arrangements will be another trial to see if they meet the needs of people arriving at Picton by boat from the Marlborough Sounds with household waste.

But he stresses the bins are not for the use of Picton households which already have a weekly kerbside collection for rubbish and recycling. The wheelie bins are intended for bulkier waste returning from the Sounds rather than litter from the passing public.

ENDS.

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