A VILLAGE recycling centre near Stone is being shut by Stafford Borough Council because of lack of usage - but a villager claims the facility is far from empty.
Rod Whiteman hit out at the closure of Swynnerton’s facility in Stab Lane after spotting signs announcing it would be shutting within the next week.
Recently the site was damaged by fire, which melted bin lids, but a Stafford Borough Council spokesman said the deci- sion to close it was made before the incident.
The bins would cost around £200 each to replace, he added, and usage of the site had plummeted since domestic recycling schemes started in Swynnerton three years ago.
The site has allowed residents to recycle glass, paper, cans, textiles and shoes for several years before domestic recycling collections began.
Its closure means any Swynnerton resi- dents who want to recycle more than their domestic collection allows will have to travel to Barlaston or Stone for their nearest alternative site.
Mr Whiteman said: “The council says the bins aren’t being used enough but the paper bin is so full I struggle to get my recycling in.
“I think quite a few people from the village use the centre and the bins have a lot in them at the moment.
“It’s a long established facility and peo- ple won’t be minded to bother recycling if they have to travel.”
