Council tax likely to rise unless recycling rates go up (From Thurrock Gazette)

Council tax likely to rise unless recycling rates go up

12:52pm Tuesday 7th October 2008

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EUROPEAN Union fines and Government landfill taxes could mean that borough residents face a £30 hike in their Council Tax bill if they do not increase recycling rates.

That is the warning from Councillor Steve Veryard, Thurrock’s Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services after the Audit Commission announced that, by 2013, councils across the country will have to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill to half of the amount dumped in 1995.

If the targets are missed it could cost councils £7 million each a year in EU fines, around £30 per household.

Even if the EU targets are met, individual councils that do not meet separate Government targets could face up to £2million in fines as well.

Councillor Veryard said: “Thurrock Council has set an ambitious target of 60 per cent for recycling.

“We have delivered on our promise to keep the weekly bin collection and we plan to introduce wheelie bins to replace the old blue recycling boxes and start a new service to collect mixed kitchen and garden waste.

“We will also be building a new recycling centre in West Thurrock, which will be open by Autumn 2009.”

He added: “Over the past four years residents have done a wonderful job and helped triple recycling rates, diverting tens of thousands of tonnes of waste from landfill sites.

“However, if we don’t work together and continue to increase the amount we recycle council costs will be pushed up by Government and European Union directives with the taxpayer left to foot the bill.”

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