Mass sign-up to recycling scheme

Green box recycling has risen significantly since last year

Thousands more households have signed up to a north London recycling scheme which becomes compulsory next week.

From Monday, houses and houses converted into flats in Brent must put recyclable items into green boxes or face a fine of up to £1,000.

About 6,400 householders joined the scheme in the last four weeks compared with 10,000 for the whole of 2007.

A consultation on the introduction of compulsory recycling in the borough was backed by almost 80% of respondents.

Good response

According to the council, the amount of recycled waste collected in the borough has also risen.

Last week 240 tonnes of recycling was collected from green boxes compared with an average of 150 tonnes per week in July 2007.

As part of the scheme householders have to recycle paper, glass, metals, plastic bottles, textiles, shoes, batteries and engine oil.

Brent Council leader, Cllr Paul Lorber, said: "The response has been fantastic. More and more people are recycling.

"You can recycle two-thirds of what you throw away and it's easy using your green box."

The council currently spends about £7m per year on sending waste to landfill but this is rising by at least £8-per-tonne every year.