Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has launched an investigation into the collection of household refuse after it was reported by this newspaper that recycling materials and food waste were being mixed, therefore contaminating recyclable items.

Concerned residents in the Newtownbutler area of Fermanagh contacted The Impartial Reporter with photo and video evidence of the practice taking place on several occasions.

Refuse collectors can be seen emptying the brown caddy bins, which are for primarily designated for food waste recycling, into the blue recycling bins before being emptied into bin lorries.

This means the recycled items can no longer be recycled and are destined for landfill.

On its website, the council explicitly states that, according to the Food Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland), all food waste must be placed in the brown wheelie bin or food waste caddy, and it is unacceptable in the black or green landfill bin.

The website highlights the substantial environmental and economic benefits of the food waste bin and the advantages of recycling food waste.

The Council were contacted last Wednesday about this issue, and said it would take them until Monday for a response to be issued.

The response eventually came through on Tuesday afternoon, with a Council spokesperson stating: “The Council is investigating the issues reported in last week’s Impartial Reporter relating to household refuse collection in the Newtownbutler area.

“The investigation is being progressed in line with Council procedures and it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.

“If a resident or member of the public has any concerns about this story, or the delivery of any other Council services, they may wish to contact the Council by telephoning 0300 303 1777, textphone 028 8225 6216, or email info@fermanaghomagh.com, and these will be dealt with in confidence.”

Sources have also said that high-ranking Council officials are to be interviewed as part of the investigation, and that the investigation has caused unrest at the Killyvilly Depot in Enniskillen.

They did not answer whether the Council was aware of this practice happening in other areas.