BARROW’s recycling record is still suffering from the wrong things ending up in the wrong bin, a meeting has been told.

Figures for January 2019 show that 70 percent – equivalent to 283 tonnes – was “contaminated recycling” after hitting a low of 48 percent in December.

One person accidentally “contaminated” their bin by putting out their Christmas cards for collection in a plastic bag, a meeting was told.

Another homeowner who diligently recycled then found his bin was being “contaminated” by passing dog walkers leaving poo bags in it.

The figures were discussed at a meeting in the town hall of Barrow Council’s overview and scrutiny committee. It has been monitoring the service as part of its contract with FCC Environment, which is two-years-old next month.

Committee chairman Cllr Martin McLeavy said a plan, along with more “education and dialogue” was needed. The council can face additional costs the contaminated waste cannot be recycled and has to be incinerated or put in land fill.

Cllr McLeavy, the Conservative councillor for Roosecote, said the biggest issue was people putting plastic bags and bin liners in their bins.

“The things in those bags may well be recyclable but once you put that plastic bag inside a bin it is contaminated,” he said. “If the contractor has to go through and open every single bag it would just introduce far too much work.”

Cllr McLeavy said the contract was “workable” but the authority needed to ask “hard and searching questions” and hold regular meetings with FCC.

Committee member Cllr Alec Profitt said the figures did not reflect the strong commitment to recycling shown by 99 per cent of local residents.

He said some of the end processes by the contractors needed to be ironed out but the rules are not too complicated.

Cllr Proffitt, the Labour councillor for Barrow Central, said:  “Ninety-five percent of people out there are desperately trying to do the right thing.

“Maybe they are not entirely familiar with what is required in terms of how that recycling must be presented, but I don’t think the system is too complicated because it works elsewhere.”

The meeting was told that in an 11-day period spanning the end of February and the start of March, rates for contamination had fallen to 39 percent due to efforts being made by the contractor.