LANCASHIRE residents could be charged to recycle, under new cost-saving measures being introduced by the county council.

The authority is proposing to limit how much DIY waste people can dispose of for free at recycling centres, with charges being applied for any extra.

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The proposal has been branded outrageous and appalling by MPs and councillors.

Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle said: “If people have got to pay to dispose of recyclable waste then they will not go — they will fly-tip instead.

“I think in the long run it will cost more to clean up fly-tipping than it will cost to allow people to voluntarily recycle for free. It is outrageous.”

And county and Hyndburn councillor Peter Britcliffe said: “I think it is an absolutely dreadful decision. We are suffering in Lancashire from a surfeit of fly-tipping and this will lead to more and more.

“The cost of removing the rubbish will cost authorities more in the long run.

“From an ecological point of view it is a dreadful decision. It is an appalling move and a retrograde step.”

The council needs to save £315 million by April 2018 as a result of government funding cuts. And the new policy is being considered to reduce the estimated £750,000 annual cost of dealing with waste such as soil, rubble and plasterboard.

The new policy would require residents to apply for a free permit allowing them to dispose of up to ten 25kg bags of DIY waste a year without charge. A charge of £3.50 per 25kg bag or equivalent item would be applied for any further waste, or for any waste delivered without a permit.

The proposal is to be considered by Cllr Janice Hanson, Lancashire’s cabinet member for public protection and waste.

If agreed, it will be introduced from April 1 subject to the cabinet also giving the go-ahead when setting the county council’s overall budget.

Steve Scott, head of waste management, said: “We provide household waste recycling centres to allow people to recycle and dispose of normal household waste free of charge.

“Our current service also allows unlimited free disposal of DIY wastes which include rubble, soil and plasterboard, which is not a statutory duty.

“This is expensive for the council. It is something we cannot continue to do. Many other councils already charge for or place limits on DIY waste.”