More York homes to get green collections

Councillors are expect to give the green light to increasing the number of properties from which it collects plastic bottles, glass, cans and paper, in a fortnightly collection.

The moves, which will add another 9,600 homes to the scheme, will enable people living in some terraced areas - such as Clifton and Acomb - to recycle waste for the first time.

The recycling initiatives, which first began in 1997, will be discussed at a meeting of the authority's panel for environment and sustainability on April 14.

As many as 2,800 homes will still miss out on the scheme, but may be added in the future if the latest expansion proves a success.

Houses in Stockton Lane, Blossom Street, Fulford Road, Acomb and The Groves will be among those benefiting from recycling facilities if the proposed extension is adopted.

The council envisages June 7 as being the earliest practical start date for the expanded scheme, giving officers enough time to arrange the purchase and delivery of collection containers.

Andrew Waller, the council's deputy leader and executive member for environment, said: "This is a substantial increase and means we would be covering 84 per cent of properties.

"It means we can provide a service to some of the city's harder to reach areas that have previously been missed out before. It will also give us a boost in meeting Government targets, which we are committed to achieving. There is the longer term threat of heavy fines if we don't."

The council's own waste management strategy means it must ensure that at least 12 per cent of housing waste is recycled by the end of this year, rising to 18 per cent by 2005 to 2006. This year's figure is expected to be 15.2 per cent, if the recycling scheme is extended by councillors.

Areas to get kerbside recycling

Fulford Road

The Groves

Heworth

Acomb

Poppleton Road

Clifton

Blossom Street

Clementhorpe

South Bank

Leeman Road

Stockton Lane

Boroughbridge Road

Updated: 08:32 Tuesday, April 06, 2004