PEOPLE in Cornwall have reacted with dismay to the announcement that Cornwall Council is set to remove recycling banks.

The large storage banks for recyclables, commonly found in supermarket car parks and also the main New Road Car Park in Callington, are set to be removed by the council next year.

They had been set to be removed as part of the council’s new waste and recycling contract but this week it was revealed that the date has been moved forward.

The council said that it was removing the banks because they have been ‘vandalised and misused by people and businesses’.

However, when the removal was previously announced it was considered acceptable because the council planned to introduce a new weekly recycling kerbside collection.

But after failing to find an operator which could take on the contract within the council’s budget, recycling will continue to be collected fortnightly, along with black bag waste.

On Facebook Lisa Marie Bate said: ‘Why get rid of recycling banks but still keep collection of it fortnightly? People use these because of running out of space/room to recycle at home because collection is fortnightly. That makes no sense to get rid of the banks surely?’

Scott Palmer said: ‘Trying to promote recycling by getting rid of the recycling banks…. Cornwall Council at its finest!’

Kerri A’lee said removing the recycling banks was a ‘backwards step’ and added: ‘If people’s bags are full and they can’t take excess to a recycling bank it will go to landfill. I’m not driving 14 to 16 mile round trip just to get rid of excess recycling!’

Fiona Blewett added: ‘So recycling collections will stay the same as now (two weekly) and they will remove all recycling banks from around the community, (most of which are well used — our local ones are emptied two to three times a week as they are full) and they expect this to increase recycling rates? What planet are they from? It makes no sense.’

Cornwall Council member for Callington Cllr Andrew Long said: ‘It seems very strange that we are removing existing recycling facilities given the Duchy’s poor record on recycling rates and the fact that the new contract has not yet been awarded. We need to ensure that there are maximum options for the public to recycle. I would urge the Council to reconsider this retrograde step.’

Cornwall Council’s cabinet was due to discuss the new waste contract when it met as the Times went to press, on Wednesday (November 13).