Fine plan for 'rubbish' recycling

The council claims people are deliberately contaminating bins

Residents in Wirral could soon face a fine of up to a £100 if they fail to recycle their rubbish.

The idea is being put forward by the council's environment committee at a meeting later. Fines would be cut to £60 for those who pay promptly.

The authority claims that 95% of households in Wirral are able to recycle waste on their doorstep.

All recyclable refuse should be put into the grey wheelie bins but the council says this is not happening.

Wirral is now recycling a huge 220% more of its household waste than in 2006-7, reports say.

But councillors say there is still room for improvement.

'Costs down'

They all also considering fines for people who continually leave their bins out on the pavement or deliberately contaminate them with non-recyclable material.

The local authority maintains that grey bins that have the wrong type of rubbish will not be emptied.

David Green, Director of Technical Services said: There will be a robust warning process, involving warning stickers and letters, as well as a visit from officers, prior to a fine being issued.

"This is not just about saving the environment, which is obviously very important, but it is also about keeping council tax costs down.

"We are seeing people who appear to be deliberately filling their bin with non-recyclable waste – effectively using it as another green bin.

"We need people to understand the larger consequences of this, all contaminated loads have to go to land fill. This damages the environment, costs the rate payer, and also wastes time. "