Petersfield residents are divided over the decision to remove bottle banks earlier than expected. 

As of last Friday, East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) bottle banks have been removed, as glass collections from homes are now fortnightly. However, they have been cleared early due to misuse by some businesses and residents.

Cllr Richard Millard, EHDC leader, said: “I’m sorry that we’ve had to do this, our original plan was to phase out bottle banks by January 2025. Unfortunately, recent weeks have shown that the remaining banks have been misused. 

“We have cleared glass banks only for them to be overflowing again the next day which raises suspicions that they are being used by local businesses. Some of the banks have also been filled with other waste.”

But not everyone is happy about the decision, some residents have claimed there was little notice given and are concerned about the increase in fly-tipping and littering. While others agree with the decision and think the fortnightly home collections are more convenient.

A Petersfield Society spokesperson commented: “The area around recycling bins in town had become sites for fly-tipping and littering, and we are not dismayed by their removal.

“The increase in domestic kerbside glass collections by EHDC to fortnightly is a real step-forward in convenience for residents and should even-out the flow of glass into recycling plants.”

The bottle bank at Hill Brow Road car park in Liss was also removed.

Cllr Keith Budden, Liss Parish Council chair, said: “While we fully understand the logic of EHDC's decision to remove the bottle banks, communication of this could have been done better. “This lack of communication has resulted in some people still leaving bottles at the bottle bank site.”

A Petersfield Town Council spokesperson added that the domestic glass collections reduce the need for bottle banks in the community.