Fridge recycling deal is announced

A new all-Ireland initiative was launched today for recycling unwanted household fridges and freezers.

Ministers on both sides of the border announced M Baker Recycling Ltd from St Helen’s in Merseyside had been awarded a recycling contract for both sides of the border.

Two firms, David Johnston Environmental Services in Comber, Co Down and KMK Metals Recycling in Tullamore, Co Offaly will collect and transport the waste fridges and freezers to the plant in St Helen’s.

The initiative was launched by Northern Ireland Office Environment Minister Angela Smith and junior Irish Environment Minister, Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher who said it was an example of how both governments could work together to deal with waste problems.

The NIO minister said: “Managing our waste more sustainably is a major challenge for all of us and this is an excellent example of utilising innovative technology to remove the environmentally harmful substances and recycling the remainder of our waste fridges and freezers rather than consigning them to landfill sites.”

Mr Gallagher said the joint scheme was a “tangible dividend for north-south co-operation”.

Under the contract, M Baker Recycling will also work with local councils on both sides of the border.

The company’s project manager Julie-Ann Adams said: “Our investment in the best available technology, people and training enables us to provide an efficient service to our customers.

“We are committed to providing district councils and local authorities across Ireland with a motivated, highly professional service, ensuring that this joint contract is the success it it should be.”