A Northeast council delayed rolling out a garden waste scheme because of high demand for plastic bins in eastern Europe.

Berwick-upon-Tweed council said it had to delay extending its garden waste scheme to coastal areas because of ‘circumstances beyond our control’.

Jan Anderson, head of public protection, added: ‘Despite ordering the bins in good time, we have been let down by the manufacturer, and it has become apparent that there is a European shortage of plastic bags due, it is thought, to eastern European countries swamping the market with massive orders.’

She said the council had tried to find other manufacturers, but all were in the same position and their delivery dates varied from September to March 2009.

‘We’ve considered collecting the waste in compostable bags, but due to health and safety risks to employees lifting heavy bags, this has had to be ruled out,’ Anderson said.

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