Home News Stolen bins being used for campfires

Stolen bins being used for campfires

Tuesday, 30 June 2009

RAHENY residents are facing the double trauma of having their green recycling bins stolen and set on fire, and then having to pay for a replacement. Cllr Sean Kenny (Lab) said residents of Lough Derg Road had contacted him to complain about the thefts and subsequent burning of bins near their homes.   “The residents believe that the culprits are individuals who drink at night in the wooded area between the rear of St Joseph’s Hospital and the open space close to the Santry River at Raheny,” Cllr Kenny told Northside People. “The full green bins can be laid flat on the ground and when set alight, provide a ‘campfire’ until the entire contents, including paper, cardboard and plastic, are burnt out. “Eventually, the bin dissolves, leaving just a charred patch on the ground. “I have reported these incidents to the gardai at Raheny.” Cllr Kenny claimed that further difficulty for residents arises when a charge is sought for the replacement bins. Also, he said the green bins should be fitted with microchips, which could be traceable. “I would call on Greyhound Recycling to address these issues,” he stated. A spokesperson for Greyhound Recycling told Northside People: “We provide our green bin service on a contract basis to the local authorities. “It is up to the relevant local authority if they charge residents for replacement bins or not. “Likewise, the option of somehow tagging bins would also be an issue for the local authority.” A spokeswoman for Dublin City Council said green bins are not fitted with a tracking device. “However, they do have a chip that can record information regarding the address of the owner,” she stated. “There is a fee for replacing a bin. However, this is only a portion of what it costs to actually buy a new bin.” The spokeswoman said the replacement fee was introduced approximately two years ago as thousands of bins were going missing. “The number has now been reduced dramatically,” she added. “There is a waiver system in place and if one qualifies for that scheme, one can apply for a waiver for a replacement bin and the application will be looked at.”