East Hampshire District Council has announced the early removal of all bottle banks in the area due to misuse by businesses and residents. Originally scheduled for phase-out by January 2025, all bottle banks will now be cleared by Friday, November 1.
The decision comes after repeated issues with overflowing glass banks and the presence of non-glass waste in the containers, which council officials have described as a “blight on the community.” East Hampshire Norse has already begun the removal process.
Councillor Richard Millard, Leader of East Hampshire District Council (EHDC), explained the decision: “Our original plan was to phase out the use of bottle banks by January 2025, but unfortunately, recent weeks have shown that the remaining banks have been misused, so we’re taking them out now.”
He added, “We have cleared glass banks only for them to be overflowing again the next day, which raises suspicions that they are being used by local businesses, who should have their own commercial arrangements for glass recycling. Some of the banks have also been filled with other waste, rather than glass bottles and jars, so they aren’t doing the job they are in place for.”
The council emphasizes that residents now receive fortnightly glass collections from their homes, with crews able to take any excess glass as long as it is placed in a suitable container.
“I’m sorry that we’ve had to do this, but we don’t really have much choice, and I’m confident that households will be able to recycle all their glass through fortnightly collections,” Millard stated.
Residents are encouraged to make use of the home collection service to ensure responsible and efficient glass recycling.
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