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Weekly bin collection return 'to be dropped' Weekly bin collection return 'to be dropped'
(about 6 hours 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 idea, which the Conservatives supported in opposition, 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 and boosting recycling.
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. In opposition, the Conservatives said they would like to see weekly collections restored.
Instead, the government's waste strategy document offers up for consultation ideas to help England be smarter with its waste. In 2008, the now Communities Secretary Eric Pickles told the Conservative party conference that weekly collections would "be back" if they gained power and that a "decent" refuse service was "vital" to help "protect the local environment and public health".
The government will work with the hospitality industry to try to reduce food waste and with the toy industry to cut excessive packaging. However, there was no commitment to weekly collections in the party's 2010 election manifesto.
Fixed penalty 'Basic service'
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. However, the BBC understands that once councils told ministers the £100m a year cost of reintroducing weekly bin collections would have to be met by central government, the idea was shelved.
One council leader said it should be up to local authorities to decide how often rubbish was collected.
"At the end of the day without question it is better done on a local basis because each local area has a different set of circumstances," said Robert Nye, leader of Horsham District Council. "And there would not be a one-fits-all model."
But lobbying group the Taxpayer's Alliance said most people expected their rubbish to be disposed of every week and that local authorities were being forced to meet waste targets set by the European Union rather than encourage residents to recycle in demand items.
"With council tax nearly doubled over the last decade, there is no good reason why councils cannot provide the basic service which is collecting the bins every week," its chief executive Matthew Sinclair said.
Outlining the government's waste strategy later, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman is expected instead to focus on ideas to help England be smarter with its waste.
Proposals to be put out for consultation would see ministers work with the hospitality industry to try to reduce food waste and with the toy industry to cut excessive packaging. 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.
Penalties
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.
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."
Ministers have pledged to give more powers to local councils as part of their localism agenda but many council leaders have warned that substantial cuts in central funding over the next four years is forcing them to cut back on services.