Householders in England are to receive shopping vouchers and loyalty rewards for recycling, thanks to a £5 million fund.
It is intended to increase recycling rates and encourage more councils to switch back from fortnightly to weekly bin collections.
Councils that offer the latter service can bid for a share of the cash to increase their recycling rates by providing the incentives to those who recycle.
The scheme builds on a pilot programme launched in 2010, which found rewards help boost recycling by 35%.
Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles believes “unfair bin fines” are not needed to increase recycling.
He said: “Rewards for recycling show how working with families can deliver environmental benefits without the draconian approach of punishing people and leaving out smelly rubbish.
“Councils with fortnightly collections will not receive government funding and are short-changing their residents with an inferior service.”
Bids close on November 7th and successful applicants will be announced in January 2015.
