Long queues of vehicles entering Ballymount civic amenity site
By Maurice Garvey
LONG queues of vehicles waiting to enter Ballymount recycling centre are due to social distancing restrictions implemented by it’s operators.
On a number of recent occasions, queues of vehicles have been viewed waiting to enter the South Dublin County Council civic amenity site in Ballymount.
The long queue of cars leading up to the Ballymount recycling centre
According to the council, the queue outside the centre does not reflect an increase in demand for the service.
“The operator Panda is restricting the number of cars allowed on site at any one time, resulting in other vehicles queueing to get in,” said Teresa Walsh, Director of Services Environment, Water and Climate Change, SDCC.
“There has not been an increase in visitor numbers at the facility, in fact there has been a fall off in numbers. April and May are generally the busiest months arising from people spring cleaning their houses, sheds and gardens. The usual rise in numbers has not arisen this year.
“The advice being given by the council is that the recycling centre is open to accept domestic waste however only essential trips to the facility should be made.
People should store household waste where possible until after the restrictions are lifted and that in general the rule regarding travel within 2km of home should be observed.”
However, Ms Walsh said the pattern of usage of council bottle banks has “changed dramatically” in recent weeks, and seen a 30 per cent increase in tonnage deposited.
“Of a total of 44 sites there are eight sites which are not accessible by car at present due to those carparks being closed to the public.
Some sites on the other hand have seen a doubling of usage and tonnage being collected by the council’s service provider.
Ms Walsh continued: “There has been a 30 per cent increase in tonnage deposited across all bring bank sites in late March/April, compared to normal conditions with the current restrictions and pub and restaurant closures.
The council’s contractor has had to increase servicing at the sites which have experienced increased usage, in some cases sites which were previously serviced twice a week are now being serviced every day.
“On the other hand, some sites do not require a service currently and others require a much reduced service. However, in general the use of the bring banks and the need for emptying has increased by 30 per cent.”
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