Variable rewards for recycling
12th January 2006
In an interview with the Southern Daily Echo, Alan Whitehead explains why introducing local rewards for recycling could save us all money in the long run:
... Recommending the rewards be introduced, Dr Whitehead said: "At the moment councils have to collect everything we put out [for landfill] and the cost is put on council tax.
"Landfill is very expensive and the cost of collecting waste and putting it in rubbish tips is going to go through the roof over the next few years.
"If you don't divert from landfill, waste collection will go up enormously anyway.
"Some parts of Europe are recycling 60-70% of household waste but if local authorities in Britain recycled 30% we would be doing very well."
Environment Minister Ben Bradshaw added:
"Evidence from other countries suggests that giving househoulders a rebate for recycling can incentivise recycling and reduce overall waste.
"In turn, that cuts the cost incurred by householders and local authorities. The Conservative-controlled LGA has requested that we give local authorities this freedom and it is being actively considered."
