Alternate week bin collection "boosts recycling"

LONDON, Apr 25 (Reuters) Councils that collect bins on alternate weeks have much higher recycling rates than local authorities which operate a weekly system, according to a study by the Local Government Association (LGA) today.

A large number of councils have switched to fortnightly collections, a move which has angered some residents.

The LGA said data show an average of 30 per cent of household waste is recycled by councils using alternate week schemes.

Those with weekly collections only recycled 23 per cent.

''Britain is the dustbin of Europe with more rubbish being thrown into landfill than any other country on the continent,'' said Sandy Bruce Lockhart, chairman of the LGA.

''For decades people have been used to being able to throw away their rubbish without worrying about environmental consequences or rising costs. Those days are over.'' Alternate weekly collection schemes mean councils collect general rubbish one week and waste for recycling the next.

According to the LGA report, the higher recycling rates obtained by councils using the alternate week system would save about 22 million pounds in taxes on landfill.

It said a report by the independent spending watchdog the National Audit Office had warned that councils would have to pay fines of 200 million pounds unless landfill rates dropped, with taxpayers having to pick up the bill.

However the fortnightly collection schemes have come in for criticism. The Daily Mail newspaper has started a campaign calling for a return for weekly bin collections.

''We believe our climate demands a weekly collection,'' Doretta Cocks of the Campaign for Weekly Waste Collection said on her Web site.

''In summer months residents are having to endure unpleasant odours from their bin contents, besides discovery of maggots amongst the waste.

''It is believed that the length of time between collections is also attracting rats and mice to our properties.'' Bruce Lockhart said it was up to councils to work with local residents to decide which system was the most effective in cutting waste and keeping council taxes down.

REUTERS LPB KP1219