Cameron: I'm the man with a plan

The frequency of bin collections is a hot political topic

Waste collections could be set to change for householders in West Oxfordshire - with some bins being emptied on a fortnightly basis.

The scheme, aimed at reducing the amount of rubbish placed in landfill, will involve separate bins for waste food, garden clippings and recyclables.

If backed by the district council, it will be implemented in October 2010.

Last week Tory leader and Witney MP David Cameron's pledged to bring back weekly rounds if his party wins power.

The proposed new service will involve a weekly food collection, a fortnightly garden waste collection and a weekly recycling round. Whatever is left - items like nappies that cannot be recycled, but are not food or garden waste - will be picked up once a fortnight.

Heat and energy

To help householders meet the new demands, each will receive a five to seven litre kitchen caddy for food waste, to be emptied into a 25 litre bin, plus a 240 litre wheelie bin for non-recyclable waste and a black box for recycling.

Eventually, we hope the only things that go into landfill will be items that can't be reused or recycled Olly Scholefield West Oxfordshire District Council

Olly Scholefield, West Oxfordshire District Council's environmental policy and performance manager, said the change was only possible because of new processes being introduced to turn food waste into heat and energy and silage for farmland.

"We want to change the service because of the need to reduce the amount of stuff that goes into landfill and the need to recycle more," he said.

"Eventually, we hope the only things that go into landfill will be items that can't be reused or recycled."

He said that while there will be no fines for people who continue to put all their rubbish in the biggest bin, it will only be collected fortnightly.

And waste collectors on the ground can decide not to empty a bin that is over-filled or contains the wrong sort of rubbish.

Green waste

"The issue with nappies is something we need to address," he said. "However, we do promote the real nappy campaign which involves reusable nappies."

So far 4,000 households take part in a chargeable green waste scheme. The council hopes this will go up dramatically once the bins are provided free of charge to those that want them.

Last week Mr Cameron pledged to provide funding to allow councils to bring back weekly bin collections and increase recycling.

Some English councils have moved to bi-weekly collections, citing strain on resources and the aim to recycle more.