‘Pay as you throw’ initiative turned down

BOROUGH chiefs have snubbed plans for a “pay-as-you-throw” waste collection scheme.

Ellesmere Port and Neston borough council rejected the idea of charging households for producing too much rubbish.

It said the Government initiative would “damage the goodwill that has been built up over the years” with residents, who are already participating in a successful recycling scheme.

The borough council was one of 100 local authorities who took part in a survey asking them if they were planning to take part in a pilot scheme, being offered under the Climate Change Act.

Research has suggested “pay-as-you-throw” schemes can boost levels of recycling among households.

Mike Whittaker, the borough council’s head of environmental services, said: “We did consider the consultation document published by the Government looking at initiatives on recycling but have not changed our view that we have done exceptionally well achieving Beacon Status with a recycling rate of 45%.

“This has been achieved by educating our community to the benefits of recycling and providing a wide range of options to allow multiple material recycling.”