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Weekly bin collection return 'to be dropped' | Weekly bin collection return 'to be dropped' |
(40 minutes later) | |
Plans to force councils in England to bring back weekly bin collections are to be dropped, the BBC understands. | Plans to force councils in England to bring back weekly bin collections are to be dropped, the BBC understands. |
It is thought ministers were told the cost of the pledge, made in the Conservative's manifesto, would be around £100m a year. | It is thought ministers were told the cost of the pledge, made in the Conservative's manifesto, would be around £100m a year. |
The government is instead expected to focus on ways of making England a "zero waste" country. | The government is instead expected to focus on ways of making England a "zero waste" country. |
Councils' rights to fine people for minor domestic waste offences are also set to be abolished. | Councils' rights to fine people for minor domestic waste offences are also set to be abolished. |
More than half of councils now collect domestic rubbish once a fortnight. | More than half of councils now collect domestic rubbish once a fortnight. |
Some authorities say weekly collections work best, while others argue that the "alternate weekly collection" of different types of waste is the most effective way to increase recycling. | Some authorities say weekly collections work best, while others argue that the "alternate weekly collection" of different types of waste is the most effective way to increase recycling. |
However, the BBC understands that once councils told ministers the £100 million a year cost of reintroducing weekly bin collections would have to be met by central government, the idea was shelved. | |
Instead, the government's waste strategy document offers up for consultation ideas to help England be smarter with its waste. | Instead, the government's waste strategy document offers up for consultation ideas to help England be smarter with its waste. |
The government will work with the hospitality industry to try to reduce food waste and with the toy industry to cut excessive packaging. | The government will work with the hospitality industry to try to reduce food waste and with the toy industry to cut excessive packaging. |
Fixed penalty | Fixed penalty |
Tougher targets for recycling aluminium will be proposed and there will be a ban on wood going to landfill from homes or industry - with it being burned for energy instead. | Tougher targets for recycling aluminium will be proposed and there will be a ban on wood going to landfill from homes or industry - with it being burned for energy instead. |
Householders currently can be punished for such actions as leaving dustbin lids open and using the wrong bin. | Householders currently can be punished for such actions as leaving dustbin lids open and using the wrong bin. |
But ministers are promising to focus on the most serious rule-breakers, such as fly-tippers or those who allow vast amounts of rubbish to pile up. | But ministers are promising to focus on the most serious rule-breakers, such as fly-tippers or those who allow vast amounts of rubbish to pile up. |
At the moment, people can be given a fixed-penalty notice of up to £110 if they repeatedly break the rules governing rubbish collections, such as recycling incorrectly or leaving waste out on the wrong day. | At the moment, people can be given a fixed-penalty notice of up to £110 if they repeatedly break the rules governing rubbish collections, such as recycling incorrectly or leaving waste out on the wrong day. |
A failure to pay can leave households facing court fines of £1,000. | A failure to pay can leave households facing court fines of £1,000. |
Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman will outline the government's plans to MPs at 0930 BST. | Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman will outline the government's plans to MPs at 0930 BST. |
The government is expected to remove most of those powers from English councils following a promise last year to scrap them. | The government is expected to remove most of those powers from English councils following a promise last year to scrap them. |
It is expected that town halls will be able to issue fixed-penalty notices only to people who allow rubbish to pile up, or those who fly-tip. | It is expected that town halls will be able to issue fixed-penalty notices only to people who allow rubbish to pile up, or those who fly-tip. |
A Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said: "We need the right polices to help communities and businesses reduce waste and increase recycling." | A Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said: "We need the right polices to help communities and businesses reduce waste and increase recycling." |