04 July 2008
Pilot schemes allowing councils to offer financial incentives to cut household waste are to go ahead, despite fears in local government that they would be scrapped.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has published draft guidance for town halls allowing them to submit proposals to introduce so-called 'pay-as-you-throw' schemes, with the first pilots likely to start in April 2009.
Five local authorities will be able to trial incentive schemes, which Defra says must be revenue-neutral. Schemes can either reward households that reduce non-recyclable waste or use charge-and-rebate style schemes, levying charges on the most wasteful and rewarding the least wasteful. Town halls will not be able to retain any money raised.
Environment minister Joan Ruddock said: 'The shape of any pilot scheme will be for local authorities to determine – they know what is most likely to work for them in their own local circumstances.'
The deadline for proposals will be eight weeks after the Climate Change Bill – which will enable the scheme – receives Royal Assent.
The Local Government Association, which last month reacted angrily to suggestions that the plans might be ditched, welcomed the launch of the guidance but said councils should seek public support.
LGA environment board chair Paul Bettison said: 'There needs to be an urgent and radical overhaul of the way in which rubbish is thrown away.'
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