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Colour coding of bins supported by local authorities

Colour coding for waste and recycling containers and standardised practices around the UK have been supported in principle by the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC).

Responding to the survey run by the Chartered Institution for Wastes Management (CIWM) LARAC revealed its support for the propositions, though it voiced cost concerns.

LARAC, which has 430 members, accounting for 92 per cent of local authorities with a waste function, said: "A national colour coding system would very visibly demonstrate the UK's commitment towards more simplified waste collection schemes."

It noted that it suggested a voluntary approach and instead of enforcing colour coding said " we believe that guidance should be provided to assist local authorities in knowing what colour receptacles they should purchase if they wish to follow an agreed UK system".

However, despite its support for the proposition, it expressed concern for the additional costs it could incur as well as higher levels of contamination – or the presence of unrecyclable goods in recycling bins.

The situation could arise because even though colours could be standardised, the recycling capabilities of different authorities might not be.

Meanwhile, even though the price of recycled materials has dropped recently, Environment Agency chairman Lord Chris Smith is to call on councils to carry on with their recycling programmes.

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