A LEADING Bolton councillor has criticised calls by the Local Government Association for tougher measures to be introduced so householders recycle more.

The association wants people to be charged for the amount of rubbish they put in bins for non-recycleable waste.

Its call follows the release of new figures which reveal the UK produces 27 million tonnes of landfill rubbish a year - more than any other country in the European Union.

Cllr Elaine Sherrington, Bolton's executive member for waste and recycling, has serious concerns about such measures and would not like to see the system introduced in the town.

"I do have concerns about pay-as-you-throw," she said.

"Unfortunately, people who have large families tend to produce larger amounts of waste but don't necessarily have large incomes. I am concerned about the impact it will have on people's lives."

She said Bolton would not consider imposing penalties on householders who do not recycle until the council has made it as easy and convenient as possible for people to dispose of all reusable waste.

A pilot scheme to replace the green recycling boxes for 12,500 homes in Over Hulton, Westhoughton and Blackrod with larger burgundy wheelie bins and start recycling card alongside paper is going well, says Cllr Sherrington and she is hopeful that it will be extended to the rest of the borough.

She added that providing householders with full recycling facilities at their homes could take two years and only after that would they consider possible penalties for those who are reluctant to divide their rubbish.