Row over household waste 'tip tax'

A Whitehall consultation document on boosting recycling revealed plans which would allow town halls to charge people for throwing away household waste which does not fit in their bins.

The Conservatives labelled the proposals a "tip tax" and claimed it would increase fly-tipping and punish responsible behaviour.

They claim the consultation, which closed last week, calls for councils to impose "pay as you throw" charges for doorstep waste collection and allows for the new tip tax - but will not lead to a reduction in council tax.

Under the current system, councils have a legal duty to provide sites for local residents to dispose of household waste free of charge.

Shadow local government secretary, Eric Pickles, said: "The Labour Government has an appalling record on fly-tipping. Yet their plans for a new 'tip tax', on top of bin taxes and existing council tax bills, will punish responsible behaviour.

"Whitehall has already ordered town halls to shrink the size of wheelie bins. Now good citizens who want to depose of large household items at their local rubbish tip will be hit with new stealth taxes.

"I fear that this anti-green tax will reward fly-tipping - with more fridges, sofas and black bin bags littering our landscape and open spaces."

The Consultation on the Incentives for Recycling by Households document states that any regime must be "revenue neutral", with councils not allowed to use the charges as a method of raising money.

The "tip tax" would be designed to stop people avoiding doorstep collection charges by taking all their household waste to the local dump.