Athlone recycling centre re-opens after closure

The recycling centre in Athlone, which closed five weeks ago, has re-opened this week and Christmas trees are being accepted free of charge.

The centre was closed throughout December and during Christmas.

The closure arose after the contract for the centre was awarded to a new company under the tendering process and Oxigen - which had run the centre for six years - vacated the site.

Barna Recycling has been awarded the contract to take over from Oxigen in the Athlone centre.

According to a statement issued by Westmeath County Council: 'As a seasonal gesture of goodwill from the new operators, Christmas trees (one per visitor) will be accepted free of charge at these facilities for the month of January.'

The Mullingar centre, which also closed, will re-open next Monday, January 9. It will be operated by Mulleady Ltd.

The Mayor of Athlone Councillor John Dolan welcomed the news that both centres were re-opening.

'I welcome this development. It was unfortunate that these facilities were closed for so long.

“Hopefully this doesn't happen again and that we learn from this. I was contacted by numerous people in relation to this and it goes to show how popular the centres are,' he said.