PLANS to introduce a garden waste collection scheme to coastal communities in north Northumberland has been delayed because of a European shortage of wheelie bins.
Berwick Borough Council was to extend its project to Belford, Seahouses, North Sunderland and Bamburgh last month but the proposals have been put back.
Head of public protection at the council Jan Anderson said: "There has been an unfortunate dela
y to the start of the garden waste scheme extension to coastal villages by circumstances beyond our control.
"Despite ordering the bins in good time we have been let down by the manufacturer and it has become apparent that there is a European shortage of plastic bins due, it is thought, to eastern European countries swamping the market with massive orders.
"We have tried to find other manufacturers but they are in the same position and their delivery dates vary from September to March 2009.
"We've considered collecting the waste in compostable bags but due to health and safety risks to employees lifting heavy bags this has had to be ruled out.
"We know that residents in these areas are eager to join the scheme which makes it even more frustrating that everything is ready to go, except for the one essential item, the wheeled bin."
The full article contains 216 words and appears in Northumberland Gazette newspaper.
