EALING Council has announced that it plans to remove the remaining communal recycling bins (known as bring sites) on May 29.

'Bring sites' can be found in various locations throughout the borough and are used to recycle plastic, glass, paper and even clothes.

This removal is part of the Council's budget for 2021/22 and was made as part of measures to reduce fly-tipping, which sometimes is associated with 'bring sites'.

At the same time, the Council hopes this decision will cut contamination of the borough's recycling and create a more cost-effective service.

In a letter sent to councillors, the council said: ''To better streamline waste services initiatives and for improved service provision, the bring sites will be removed on Saturday, May 29.

"This would help to improve the street scene and reduce fly-tipping associated with bring sites and poor quality of recycling materials.

"This would also help reduce the abuse of the amenities by producers of business waste who may have been using these locations illegally.''

Ealing litter picking group, LAGER Can (Litter Action Group for Ealing Residents), with over 1,500 members, has criticised the move.

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Administrator, Cathy Swift, said: "I think it's fair to say that news of the closure of the Borough's remaining bring sites has been met with a chorus of disapproval by members of our Facebook group.

"I understand that these 'bring sites' pre-date doorstep recycling collections for residents, but many, especially those living in flats about shops, have no space for recycling bins.

"Our members challenge the notion that bins - large or small - attract fly-tipping.

"Fly-tippers will fly-tip whether there are bins or not.

"We feel that the Council needs to make it as easy as possible for residents to dispose of their rubbish and recycling responsibly.

"It seems to us that removing bring sites without offering practical alternatives to all residents, and the planned closure of Acton waste and recycling centre, are sure to increase the amount of rubbish in the Borough's open spaces."