A 'green' tax on non-recyclable domestic waste is being considered by Sir Michael Lyons as part of his review of local UK Government finances.

 

The green tax proposal would suit central Government as it tries to 'out-green' the Conservative leader David Cameron, and help local councils, who have been asked to ensure that UK recycling increases from the current 22.5% to 33% by the year 2015. (Only Greece recycles less than the UK in the whole of the EU)

Sir Lyons is looking to allow councils to charge a flat rate or per kilo of non-recyclable waste.

 

If a flat arte is put forward, the individual councils are likely to pass on the full cost to the home owner, who are likely to pay up to £120 per year or £10 per week. 

 

It is already possible to weigh the rubbish bin at the time of collection, which makes it easy to charge individual households per kilo. It is estimated to cost between 25p-50p per kilo. 

Yes, is the short answer. A number of European cities have already successfully introduced different types of green taxes on non-recyclable domestic rubbish.

 

There is therefore clear evidence that if households have to pay for their rubbish by weight or volume they produce a lot less of it.

 

Germany: Recycles 40% of domestic rubbish

In Landkreis Schweinfurt a 18p per kilo + 14p per emptying tax was introduced in 1999. The scheme reduce household rubbish with 13.5%.

 

Belgium: Recycles 50% of domestic rubbish

In Ghent households pay between 60p and £3.20 to have a bin emptied.

 

In Dillburg collection of recycled materials are free. However, all other waste is charged by volume and weight at between 46p - 70p per bag. The volume of waste has gone down from an average 337kg per person to just under 115kg per person - a 60% reduction.