A COUNCIL doorstep paper recycling scheme is set to continue, despite a drastic drop in waste paper prices.

The project was introduced in Pendle at the beginning of the year, with waste paper collected door-to-door from 30,000 homes across the borough.

But councillors will be told tonight that the price paid to Pendle Council for the paper is to be cut from £80 per tonne to £25. It means the scheme will cost an extra £35,000 to run this year.

Council environmental services manager Richard Whittle said: "It seems there is a glut of waste paper.

"When we introduced the scheme the waste paper merchant was confident that the price of £80 per tonne would remain steady for two or three years and the council proceeded on that basis."

The council will hold talks with the waste merchant to see whether the original price can be retained.

Despite the fall in prices, the council is keen to see the scheme continue.

"The Government has given us a target to recycle 25 per cent of waste by the year 2000.

"This collection scheme is a valuable contribution towards that target," said Mr Whittle.

The scheme collects ten tonnes of waste paper each week.

This saves landfill space, conserves raw materials and helps spread the recycling message.

The council's Pendle Services committee, which meets tonight, is recommended to continue the scheme.

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