Compulsory Recycling Coming To Your Street?

Eco-unfriendly residents face £100 fine for failing to be green

Hammersmith & Fulham has become the fifth London Borough to introduce compulsory recycling for residents.

The scheme, which begins 1 October, will make it mandatory for residents in properties north of Goldhawk Road to recycle certain items of household waste using the borough's Smart Sack recycling service.

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, a council can legally require residents to use particular containers or sacks for different waste materials.

Compulsory recycling prohibits residents to put certain recyclable materials in their black sacks or bins for disposal. Residents who persistently fail to recycle will be served with a formal legal notice and issued with a £100 fixed penalty.

LBH&F said that if successful the trial will be rolled out across the rest of the borough setting the scene for neighbouring boroughs to follow.

Councillor Nicholas Botterill said, "Recycling targets are set by central Government, with local councils being fined if they do not meet their individual targets. As well as being cleaner and greener, increasing recycling rates helps keep council tax down as we will have fewer fines to pay from central Government."

Hounslow and Ealing Councils were asked to comment on the likelihood of such schemes being introduced in their boroughs, but we are yet to receive any response from either of them.

September 13, 2007