COUNCIL bosses have given more details of how York residents would deal with proposed radical new changes to recycling.

The Evening Press reported yesterday that 60,000 householders in the city could have their weekly rubbish collections dumped.

City of York Council environment chiefs are proposing to collect refuse one week, and recyclable garden waste such as grass cuttings, weeds and compost the following week. Proposals are also being drawn up for cardboard and plastic to be collected with the green waste. The changes are seen as necessary to avoid soaring landfill tax fines.

Council bosses have answered a number of questions about why they have taken the decision and how it would work in practice.

Why do we have to lose the weekly refuse collections?

It would be too costly to provide a fortnightly collection of garden waste on top of existing services.

Extra vehicles would need to be bought and more staff recruited. Running the two together would provide no real incentive for people to recycle.

Has the council reduced its level of service?

The green waste collection would be provided free of charge, in addition to the refuse collection and kerbside recycling services.

How will the new scheme work? 60,000 homes with a garden would receive a green-coloured wheelie bin to stand alongside their existing grey one. Residents would put any green waste into the new bin. It must not been contaminated by meat or dairy products.

What should I put into the new garden waste bin?

Leaves, bark, hedge clippings, cut flowers, plants, windfalls, twigs, small branches, lawn mowings, weeds and pot plant compost.

What NOT to put in?

Food and animal waste, plastic, paper, glass, metals, cardboards, general household rubbish, pet waste, nappies, soil and rubble.

What happens if my refuse bin is overflowing?

By remembering the three Rs: Reduce - Not producing waste in the first place. Re-use - Re-using materials. Recover waste - Recycling and composting waste protects the environment. But anyone struggling to find space in their refuse bin could call the council for advice.

What happens in winter when there is less green waste?

The council recognises that people would probably produce less green waste during winter, but people can still use their green waste bin for disposing of bulkier items, and twigs, leaves and branches. The scheme would be closely monitored.

What happens at Christmas when I have more refuse to dispose of?

The council would revert back to the current weekly refuse collections to ensure bins did not overflow.

What happens to the collected waste?

It would be taken to the Harewood Whin composting facility at Rufforth.

It would then be composted to produce a soil conditioner, marketed as Grow Green, and sold at local waste and recycling centres.

Who is paying for the scheme?

City of York Council.

Updated: 10:52 Wednesday, May 11, 2005