Dustbin spy chips attacked

GOVERNMENT proposals which could lead to homeowners having “spy chips” fitted to their dustbins were today being outlined by ministers.

But the leader of Ipswich council warned that any proposals to change the way households were charged should be put in the hands of central, rather than local government.

Liz Harsant said she was not in favour of chips being installed in bins. She said: “That does sound like big brother watching over us. I think we should get more recycling by encouraging people rather than forcing them into it.”

Environment Secretary David Miliband was today announcing new recycling programmes, including a proposal to collect household food waste separately every week, to be used to generate renewable energy.

Already 40 per cent of councils - including most in Suffolk - run fortnightly or alternate-week rubbish collections, in which non-recyclable waste is collected one week and recyclables the next.

Figures show these councils have a 30pc higher rate of recycling than those which haven’t introduced the measures.

But they have sparked opposition from those who believe the move encourages vermin, unpleasant smells and fly-tipping.

The long-awaited English Waste Strategy, published today, is the first major environmental strategy by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) since Mr Miliband became Secretary of State.

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