Piloting financial incentives for recycling

A report by the Communities and Local Government Committee, 'Refuse Collection: Waste Reduction Pilots', has characterised the Government pilot schemes that will provide financial incentives for recycling as a "messy compromise". The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) says that, while plans might be 'too little, too late', the use of household financial incentives must be properly explored before they are given the go ahead.

CIWM Chief Executive, Steve Lee, said: "The CIWM has been calling on the Government to look at the issue of charging and financial incentives for some years. What we have now is an awkward compromise and another four years before any further decisions can be taken." None of the pilot schemes will start before April 2009, which means that they will have no discernible effect on local authorities' abilities to meet European Union landfill targets before penalties are due.