COUNCIL chiefs have been challenged to improve recycling bring banks in Oswestry, rather than close them.

Oswestry Town Council’s Finance and General Purposes Committee is set to give its response to Shropshire Council’s consultation on plans to close 120 bring banks for household waste across the county.

Councillors resolved on Monday night to voice their concerns that some people, including the elderly, could not store separated waste at home for the two weeks before collection or reach the Oswestry Household Recycling Centre.

There was also concern that the removal of the banks might provide a further incentive for flytipping.

They suggest that Shropshire Council upgrades existing equipment to allow people to recycle more items at home and use the bring banks, rather than remove them.

The unitary authority and its waste contractor Veolia provide bring banks to recycle household waste including cans, glass, paper, clothing and drinks cartons.

The council says that inappropriate use of the banks is becoming increasingly common, and the sites are experiencing three main issues: people placing the wrong materials in the banks; general household waste left alongside the banks; and firms using the sites to dump trade waste.

Councillor Olly Rose voiced concerns over flytipping at Monday’s meeting and said that removing the site “is not going to help things”.

Mayor of Oswestry, Cllr Sandy Best, said the “satellite” recycling sites were needed alongside the main tip.

And Cllr Paul Milner said that it was as pity that people are using the bring bank for flytipping.

To take part in the consultation, visit www.shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved/closure-of-shropshire-council-recycling-bring-sites or call 0345 678 9077.

The consultation runs until January 25.