Target set for zero waste by 2020

The aim is to make landfill sites completely redundant by 2020

Zero waste will go to landfill sites by the end of the next decade if Fife Council's ambitious targets are met.

The authority said it planned to exceed government requirements by ensuring all household waste was either recycled, composted or sent to waste treatment.

Fife had one of the worst figures for recycling in 2002 when only 2% of waste avoided landfill. Already that has increased to about 38%.

The first target is to increase that rate to 47% by 2010/11.

That figure will then need to increase to 64% by 2012/13.

Annual reviews

National targets require local authorities to send no more than 5% of municipal waste to landfill by 2025.

Head of environmental services, Fraser Thomson, said: "We will be reviewing progress on an annual basis to take account of performance, technology developments, government requirements and budget availability.

"These are challenging targets but I am confident that with the continued support of Fifers we can meet them."

The authority is planning to expand the range of material which can be recycled.

Councillor Anthony Martin, chairman of the environment and transportation committee, added: "Fifers have made an incredible contribution to meeting our current recycling targets and I hope that they will embrace this new challenge.

"The proposals put forward support our ambition of becoming a leading green council."