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Bristol residents could find out today if they will become the first householders in the UK to be paid for reducing their weekly rubbish.

The so-called 'trashback' scheme will see microchipped bins weighed every time they are emptied.

Residents who stay below a calculated 'base rate' will receive a cash reward of 50p per kilo that they save, up to a maximum of £17.50 per person per year.

That means a family of four could receive £70 a year if they keep their wastage low.

Bristol City Council is planning to trial a voluntary pilot scheme for around 2,000 homes over the next six months, before rolling out the program across the city next year.

But opponents fear the project is simply paving the way for a 'bin tax' which financially punishes families who produce larger amounts of waste.

Councillor Gary Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety said:  "The proposed scheme, if it goes ahead, would be run as a pilot for six months in Bishopston, Cotham and Redland.

"The residents in the 2,362 properties in this area would be given the option to participate in the pilot scheme on a voluntary basis.

"Bristol already has a first-class reputation for waste reduction and recycling and we have set ourselves an ambitious target to recycle 50 per cent of all our waste by the end of this year.

"Even more importantly, we are committed to reducing the amount of waste going to landfill which, as well as having major environmental benefits, will save Bristol tax payers millions.  Bristol residents have already helped us reduce the amount of waste we generate.  This year we are predicting our waste to be nearly 23,000 tonnes less than in 2004/05 - saving £4 million of public money."

To hear the full interview with Gary Hopkins, follow the link at the top of the page:



But Labour councillors say the "spy in the bin" waste incentive scheme could be used as a big stick to punish those householders who aren't perfect.

Cllr John Bees, who represents Kingsweston (Labour) said:  "The LibDems say that this is a pilot scheme but obviously their plan is to roll out microchipped wheelie bins to every doorstep.  It was only the strong voice from residents in the city that stopped this last time.

"Labour believes the Council should pursue the "carrot before the stick", but make no mistake - this is the big stick approach.  Householders will be wondering why their neighbours are effectively getting a discount on council tax whilst they are paying the full whack."

The program will involve microchipping the standard council-issued black wheelie bins and weighing them each time they are emptied.  The waste produced will then be calculated per person at the respective household in kilograms and logged on a website.

A 'base weight' will be calculated for each household's waste and an incentive payment lf 50p will be handed over for each kilogram of rubbish saved below that waste, up to £17.50 per person per year.

If a household's target is reached, they will be rewarded with a cheque from the council at the end of the year.

Council officials will be meeting with representatives from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in London today to discuss the scheme and bid for funding.

For more information about recycling in Bristol, visit the council's webiste:

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