South Dublin County Council has installed the ‘bring bank’ which above ground looks like a normal recycling bin but has massive underground storage capacity.

The council environmental awareness officer told the Herald that such systems are popular elsewhere in Europe but has never before been used in Ireland.

As well as allowing large amounts of recyclables to be collected at time without overflowing, the bins make it easy for people in wheelchairs to recycle as well and the National Disability Strategy Fund provided funds for the installation of the system.

The council, which also provided funding for the facility at Sean Walsh Park, said: “This initiative is another example of how South Dublin County Council constantly strives to provide up-to-date recycling facilities to all.”

Irish households have proven that they are keen on recycling, with 2007 figures showing enough rubbish was recycled to fill the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing, including sufficient steel to create 7.2 million shot putts.

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