COUNCIL bosses were today celebrating the success of their recycling scheme in Tadcaster - only days after threatening to take householders who did not comply to court.

Councillors hailed an "important milestone" as the 5,000th tonne of waste from the Tadcaster and Selby area was recycled.

But opposition councillors questioned the need for threats of court action and £1,000 fines if the scheme was going so well.

The Evening Press revealed last week that Selby District Council had pledged to take tough action against residents who refused to recycle.

Tadcaster householders who persistently misuse their new recycling bins could receive a written warning, a visit by a council officer and, ultimately, a trip to the magistrates court.

Today, Mike Thompson, environmental health officer at the council, welcomed new figures that showed 5,000 tonnes of waste had been recycled since the council began its recycling drive last year.

He said: "This is a significant achievement and we would like to thank all of the local residents who have contributed."

The amount is the highest recorded by the council so far and is in excess of Whitehall targets.

But Labour councillor Steve Shaw-Wright said: "Of course, 5,000 tonnes is excellent, but it is the residents who have been doing the recycling, and are already showing their commitment to it. That just goes to show they need to be encouraged to keep recycling, not browbeaten into it.

"Whether the council has got targets to meet or not, we should take the people with us by supporting them, rather than dragging them along with threats."

Coun Chris Metcalfe, Tory chairman of the council's environment board, said the threats of court were necessary to ensure everyone took part in the recycling schemes. He said: "By spring 2006 we want to be recycling or composting more than 20 per cent of all our domestic waste.

"Our schemes so far have been a tremendous success, but all residents must embrace them. The terrific 5,000 tonnes figure is an important milestone, and has been achieved by the performance of a large majority of householders - but there are a minority of people who still refuse point-blank to take engage.

"Over the next few years there will be punitive fines coming from the Government to those councils that aren't hitting their recycling performance figures, and because we have got people who are refusing to recycle there is the potential for us to be fined.

"That would take Tadcaster taxpayers' money and send it to the Exchequer. It would be unfair on those who are engaging with the recycling schemes to see their council tax being sent to London because some people just aren't bothering."

Updated: 10:36 Wednesday, May 18, 2005