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The scheme, which comes in from 1 October, makes it compulsory for residents in street properties, north of the Goldhawk Road, to recycle certain items of household waste using the orange Smart Sack recycling service.  

Residents in street properties will be expected to place glass bottles and jars, tins, cans, empty aerosols, tetra paks, paper and magazines in their Smart Sacks for collection. People who persistently fail to recycle will be served with a formal legal notice and issued with a £100 fixed penalty.

Hammersmith & Fulham is currently recycling over 25% of its household waste. However, in order to meet the recycling target of 30% by 2010, it is essential that all residents take part in the weekly recycling service.

Councillor Nicholas Botterill, H&F Cabinet Member for Environment and Deputy Leader, said:
"Our aim is to make the transition to a compulsory scheme as easy as possible for residents. Many residents already recycle their rubbish and the aim of this trial is to encourage others who don’t to do their bit."

But, as Councillor Botterill explains, the measures are necessary to promote a cleaner, greener borough and to reduce council tax. He says, "Recycling targets are set by central Government, with local councils being fined if they do not meet their individual targets. As well as being cleaner and greener, increasing recycling rates helps us to keep the council tax down as we will have fewer fines to pay from central Government."

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the council can legally require residents to use particular containers or sacks for different waste materials. In this new scheme, the council does not allow residents to put certain recyclable materials in their black sacks or bins for disposal. These must instead be placed in an orange Smart Sack for recycling. If successful the trial will be rolled out across the rest of the borough.