Extra collection points may be brought in at recycling centres in West Cumbria after half the bin collections in Allerdale were suspended.

Cumbria County Council has confirmed it is in talks with its contractor about ways to address the increase in people using its household waste recycling centres following Allerdale council’s announcement that mixed recycling and garden waste collections had been stopped.

A county council spokesman said Allerdale council would be obliged to cover the costs of any such measures because of the failure of its kerbside collections system.

He added: “We understand from staff that household waste recycling centres in Allerdale were busier than usual over the weekend.”

But he warned that any recyclable materials deposited at county council centres that do not accept that specific type of recycling - such as plastics being taken to Workington’s Clay Flatts centre - would not be sorted and would end up in landfill.

Allerdale council also operates some sites where people can take recycling. It has put in a new recycling point at Solway House, off Mossbay Road, to give people another place to deposit their mixed recyclables.

A spokesman said its sites were being checked daily to ensure they were emptied when required.

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Meanwhile, the county council is reminding residents that discounted compost bins are available at getcomposting.com, providing an alternative to the suspended garden waste collections. However, garden waste can be taken to the household waste centres in Maryport, Workington, Wigton or Frizington.

More more details visit www.cumbria.gov.uk

Councillor Celia Tibble, county council cabinet member for the environment, said: “As a local resident in Allerdale, I am very much aware of the current situation regarding recycling and waste collection.

“Where possible, the county council is supporting Allerdale Borough Council to provide alternative arrangements for people to dispose of their recycling and garden waste in a sustainable and organised manner.

“The council will continue to work closely with our partners Renewi, who operate the household waste and recycling centres to identify and implement all possible solutions to relieve the current pressures.”

Allerdale council is the designated waste collection authority and is responsible for picking up waste and recycling via kerbside collections and from recycling points. The county council, meanwhile, is the waste disposal authority and is responsible for waste disposal and management of the county’s 14 household waste recycling centres.