From time to time, we all have to dispose of old oil tanks if we use oil as a domestic fuel. But it is not as straightforward in the Newry Mourne and Down area as it may seem as they are potentially classed as ‘hazardous waste’.
Margaret Ritchie, Member of Parliament for South Down, has called on Newry Mourne and Down District Counci to dispose of domestic oil tanks.
Ms Ritchie said: “Unlike Belfast City Council and other Councils throughout Northern Ireland, Newry Mourne & Down Council do not have an agreement with a contractor to dispose of domestic oil tanks at a reduced price.
“Rate payers in Newry Mourne and Down have to pay over £200 for a company to dispose of the tanks. Furthermore, the redundant oil tanks will not be accepted at Council landfill sites as they are deemed hazardous waste.
“I have made urgent representations to the Council to intervene in this matter and provide this service for the benefit of rate payers of the District at a discounted rate. I have been advised Council will progress towards reviewing and standardising the variety of waste management services across the new district and may potentially be in a position to provide such a service within the next financial year.
“I will continue my representations to Council to ensure an agreement is reached for domestic oil tanks to be disposed of at a discounted rate and with proper environmental consideration.”
