By Alan Richardson

COUNCIL OFFICIALS could search kerbside bins to ensure people are recycling the right materials, it has emerged.

Perth and Kinross Council is studying a scheme in which people may win a prize for using their bins correctly.

Council workers would study 10 bins at random on emptying day and the first found to be full of the right materials would win £50 of vouchers.

It is one of various options being considered as the council seeks to increase its recycling rates and avoid swingeing landfill penalties.

Although Perth and Kinross Council achieved the last Scottish Government target of 30% it now has to step up its efforts to reach a 40% recycling rate by 2010.

A paper to go before Wednesday’s environment committee appears to reject a “pay as you throw” scheme being trialled in some English areas in favour of a “more positive” incentive scheme for Perth and Kinross.

The paper states, “It is widely recognised that a change in the public’s attitudes towards how they deal with their waste is the main way to meet long-term recycling and landfill diversion targets.”

It goes on to describe how the kerbside scheme—in areas where waste is separated into different bins at source—would work.

It states, “On days where the dry recyclates bin is set out for collection, a waste services staff member, who will have been given a selection of 10 randomly chosen addresses, will check the bins in order on the list.

“The first bin that is determined to have the correct materials will win.”

The prize will be £50 in vouchers, with four winners each month, it was revealed.

The report continues, “This would be a positive way to convey the message about the appropriate method for presenting recyclates and supplement other education and awareness activities for kerbside recycling.”

It says, “There may be a substantial number of people who dispose of recyclable materials into their general waste bins, as they feel it is too much trouble to separate their waste into more than one bin.

“This would be a positive way to convey the message about the appropriate method for presenting recyclates and supplement other education and awareness activities for kerbside recycling.”

The paper makes clear there would be no penalties involved if bins are found to contain the wrong waste although, in keeping with current rules, they will not be emptied.

A recent national assessment of pilot incentives has shown the importance of raising awareness—81% of the schemes had a positive impact and 57% led to an increase in the amount of waste recycled.

Other options to be examined at Wednesday’s meeting include handing out prize draw tickets at recycling centres and sites, with monthly prizes on offer.

Environment convener Councillor Alan Grant said, “The success locally of recycling initiatives has been down in a major part to the support and participation of our communities.

“We want this trend to continue and grow and so we are looking at ways in which we might encourage even greater use of recycling centres, points and the kerbside collection service.

“I will be interested to hear in due course what impact the incentive schemes have on our already high recycling rate.”