An ambitious plan which aims to encourage almost every household in Hertfordshire to start recycling within the next ten years was approved by councillors last week.
The county's draft Waste Strategy, which sets out policies for the next 25 years, was rubber-stamped after a consultation exercise involving every home in Hertfordshire.
More than 7,500 people responded to questionnaires which arrived on their doorstep, 90 per cent of whom supported the proposals set out in the strategy.
The document has a key target that 50 per cent of household waste should be recycled by 2012, which compares to Hertsmere's current recycling figure of seven per cent.
County Councillor Iris Tarry, chairman of the county's waste strategy development group, said: "I am delighted the vast majority of people are in favour of the council's proposals. This support is vital as it is the residents of Hertfordshire that will be key to making the plan work."
The strategy is based on the principle of raising awareness about recycling, and introducing incentives to encourage people to reduce waste, re-use waste items and recycle. Standard charges could be introduced for the collection of bulky household waste and garden waste, to promote home composting.
Kerbside waste collection schemes will be expanded to include paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, cans and compostable garden and kitchen waste.
The strategy states that incineration should not be used in the future to dispose of waste, although more environmentally-friendly chemical processes could be employed.
In order to achieve the 2012 target, 80 per cent of the county's housholds will need to be targeted by recycling schemes, and 90 per cent of those will have to be participating.
The Government has also set a target for local authorities that 25 per cent of waste should be recycled by 2006.
The draft Waste Strategy, drawn up by the waste strategy development group, made up of representatives of local councils, will now go to the county's district and borough councils for formal approval.
July 2, 2002 13:00
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