SOUTHEND Council is being forced to spend an extra £80,000 because households are failing to separate their waste properly.

Garden waste finding its way into black sacks means the council has to fork out extra cash on its landfill licence to the Government.

The council runs a garden waste collection service for 36 weeks per year and noticed the level of green waste in black bags increasing during the winter months, when green bins were not being collected.

Martin Terry, councillor responsible for public protection, transport and waste, said the authority will try to educate people about the impact of mixing their waste.

He said: “It is taking money out of the town’s pockets.

“The extra money spent on our landfill tax comes out of our revenue, so that money could be put towards library books or other services for the borough’s residents.

“We will be working with our new contractor Veolia to further educate people about why they should separate all their waste and what a direct impact it can have on council services.

“I would much rather spend £80,000 on library books or public services than increasing our landfill tax because people haven’t composted or gone to the tip.”

The council will introduce a year-round green waste collection from next Monday *mar 7* and Mr Terry hopes this will reduce the amount spent on sending recyclable waste to landfill.

The scheme will cost about 91p a week for collection of garden waste sacks when paid by direct debit, but could cost up to £1.50 if you choose a green bin and to pay by cheque or postal order.

Mr Terry added: “We do see an increase in green waste going to landfill in the winter months, especially with milder winters – I was cutting my grass up until Christmas.

“We would encourage people to sign up to the year-long collections as it could mean more money being available to be spent on other services.

“We are not in the Premier League of recycling yet but we are making good progress.

“Most things can be recycled nowadays, I only put out about half a black bag every six weeks or so, so if we educate and inform people more then we can still improve as a borough.”

HOW MUCH DO WE RECYCLE?

South Essex recyclers (National ranking: recycling, reuse and composting rates)

  • Rochford District Council (3): 65.2 per cent
  • Castle Point Borough Council (56): 52.2 per cent
  • Basildon District Council (63): 51.7 per cent
  • Southend Borough Council (69): 51.4 per cent

Results taken from letsrecycle.com, ranking out of 352 local authorities