Tax plan to tackle waste

Environment Secretary David Miliband said English councils would get powers to charge for rubbish and "give rewards in cash" for those who recycle.

However he said the overall amount of local tax raised must not increase.

He also announced a clampdown on junk mail, excess packaging and plastic shopping bags in a bid to meet tough EU landfill waste reduction targets.

Mr Miliband said England generated about 100 million tonnes of waste a year, most of which ended up in landfill dumps, adding to greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2005-06, 27% of household waste was recycled compared with just 7.5% in 1996-97 and there had been a 9% fall in waste being landfilled between 2001 and 2005.

Despite this progress, England's waste performance still lags well behind much of the rest of Europe.

The first step was for producers and retailers to help prevent waste and ensure more recycling through voluntary agreements.

An opt-out service for junk mail would be developed.

The environmental impact of plastic bags would be reduced by 25% over the next 18 months - equivalent to 3.25bn fewer bags a year - and ministers would work "for the end of free single-use" bags.

Industry would be encouraged to cut the amount of packaging used on products and the government would propose higher recycling targets.

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