The Household Recycling Centre, which opened in March, provides a facility for householders wishing to dump materials from a trailer or van. However, Carrick Council has received reports of misuse at the site after it appeared commercial operators were using the facility. In a report presented at the August meeting of the Environmental Services Committee, members were told: “Through the guidance of a project officer and a new cleansing manager it became clear that the civic amenity site was being abused by local business and charities and by undertaking a few simple steps it would be possible to reduce the abuse and increase the council’s recycling figures. “Having observed practices at the household recycling centre and having listened to feedback from residents and staff it is felt that the limitations for van and trailer access be lifted. Van and trailers are regularly observed in the centre which appear to belong to commercial operators. “A new pro-forma has been developed for staff to record details of those who would appear to be abusing the centre.”