Compulsory recycling

2.35.37pm GMT Thu 6th Jan 2005

Today has seen Barnet Council extent its pilot scheme to make household recycling compulsory. Residents will face a £1,000 fine if they fail to recycle household waste. Residents will be expected to place glass bottles, jars, tins, cans, paper and magazines in their free household recycling boxes.

Residents who persistently refuse to compulsorily recycle their household waste will be issued with a notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The notice will force them to comply with the clause which allows local authorities to stipulate which containers residents should use for disposing of household waste.

Whilst I am against most things being made compulsory I agree with Barnet Council's intentions on compulsory recycling as we certainly need, as a country, to recycle much more than we do. It will be interesting to see the resident's reactions and also if anyone gets fined.