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There has been much chatter about the introduction of pay-as-you-throw. What the government actually announced today was a proposal on ?removing the ban on local authorities using financial incentives for waste prevention and recycling.? The only restriction would be that, whatever ?incentive? local authorities use, it must be ?revenue-neutral?. In effect, this means that your local authority can introduce a rebate scheme.

Under a rebate scheme, you would still pay your council tax bill, but at the end of the year you would receive a rebate for the amount of waste you didn't throw away.

There is one stipulation to giving authorities the power of rebate: provided local authorities meet ?the need to provide kerbside recycling facilities for at least five waste streams (excluding garden waste).?

At the moment, most local authorities collect at least three streams: paper; plastic and tins. But they would also need to include food waste ? destined for power generation ? and one other.

Leaving all these decisions to local authorities, whilst being very 'devolved', does allow confusion over what can be recycled to remain. It has become obvious over the last weeks and months that people just want to know what they can recycle and be provided with the means to do it easily. Perhaps the best way to do this is to standardise across the country, so you know where you stand, where ever you are.

As for fortnightly waste collection, the government states that ?recent research by Defra has found no evidence of increased health risks with such schemes? allowing local authorities to use their judgement. As for residents they should ?wrap waste and keep bin lids closed.?

Other suggestions in the white paper include:

   * A voluntary scheme for recycling bins to be made available in public areas, such as parks and businesses.

   * The end of 'single use' carrier bags

A consultation process is now under way until 16th August 2007. You are encouraged to take part; just follow the link above. Let TenBees know what you think too.