'Rubbish tax' to encourage recycling
August 9, 2004
Families face a "rubbish tax" in a new drive to cut waste and increase recycling. Householders will be charged for "unsorted waste" dumped in rubbish bins as an incentive to recycle paper, glass, cardboard and other reusable materials.
The Environment Agency says that Britons recycle only 12% of their waste - a third of the rate of some EU countries. The measure will be included in a Clean Neighbourhoods Bill to be announced in November.
At the moment, less than £1 a week comes out of each householder's council tax to cover the refuse collection.
A cabinet document leaked to The Sunday Times quoted Margaret Beckett, the Environment Secretary, as saying: "I accept that there will be potential political risks, but also the potential for significant long-term gains." She said that the move could be "perceived as another stealth tax" by the Government.
The Independent website has further information.
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