Banteer Recycling and Composting Pilot project completed.

Banteer Youth Committee have now completed the first phase of their pilot environmental project, which aims to eventually have all the residents of Banteer village recycling.  

Cllr. Patrick Buckley, and Katherine Walsh and Maureen Lehane of the Environmental Department of Cork County Council kindly assisted the group.

First of all a detailed survey and analysis of waste management in the village of Banteer was undertaken with the committee doing a door to door survey of the chosen pilot area, Glenwood Estate. The survey included questions on basic waste disposal and other questions with regard to bin collection.

A detailed report of findings was prepared and submitted to Cork County Council and also presented at the recent composting demonstration night.

The main findings from the survey completed were;

·        30% of residents require waste bin collection every week.

·        50% do not recycle at all and all of those that do recycle have to travel to other areas for a recycling facility e.g. Kanturk, Mallow.

·         50% of the residents are already using composting bins but all of these would be interested in purchasing another bin, as one is insufficient. Also, all of those presently using composting bins feel that this method has reduced their waste collection costs.

·        All of the residents who were not using composting bins were very interested in utilising one in future.

Finally, another fact, which came to the  attention of the group was the lack of a recycling facility in Banteer village. All of the Glenwood residents felt that this facility was necessary in the village and suggestions were made as to where such a facility should be located.

These young and active members of the Youth Committee are hoping to show the difference that can be made by utilising composting bins and other recycling methods, which all help to reduce unnecessary waste and are easy to use. And now with the new Pay by Weight System being introduced, Banteer Youth Committee believe that the annual costs for waste-bin collection can be reduced with just a little effort. 

Following the survey the Committee organised a well attended demonstration night for the public and Maureen Lehane Cork County Council attended same with orders for composting bins taken on the night. At present the committee are waiting for the arrival of these composting bins and will then continue monitoring this and other new waste disposal methods and intend presenting an overall report later in the year, which will show how much composting has benefited these residents.

Other recommendations from the pilot survey included the need to locate a recycling facility at a suitable location in Banteer village. 

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