No calls for recycling 'sheriff'

A Devon council is still waiting for responses after asking people to let them know about their neighbours who are not recycling.

In its August newsletter Teignbridge Council said it would send a "recycling sheriff" to the homes of those not doing their bit for the environment.

Only one response was received, from someone outside Teignbridge accusing the council of Big Brother tactics.

The council said the request was not meant to be sinister in any way.

We accept the word "sheriff" was misconstrued, but it is about going round to help people David Beer

Spokesman David Beer said the council just wanted to help people who were having difficulty getting to grips with recycling.

"It was a negative response, but we are not Big Brother," he said.

"We accept the word "sheriff" was misconstrued, but it is about going round to help people."

He said the "sheriff" would in fact be a recycling officer with no intention of prosecuting people.

"Prosecution is the furthest thing from our minds," he said.

"It is about encouragement.

"We would go and have a chat with them and find out if there was a reason they were not recycling.

"We would not even tell which neighbour contacted us."

Recycling of household waste has risen from 13% in 2003 to 45% last year, according to council figures.

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