The failure of the labour run council to get to grips with waste disposal is costing the council a fortune.

This year it will cost the council £48 for every tonne of waste which goes to landfill – just in Landfill Tax. This will rise to £72 by 2013. As a country we send half a tonne of waste per person to landfill. In County Durham it is likely to cost around £7m this year in landfill tax. We must cut landfill if we are to keep council tax down and help the environment. Please recycle more, reduce food waste or get a discounted compost bin by calling 0845 130 6090 or visit www.durham.getcomposting.com

Cllr Wilkes says “After getting 700 more homes on the garden waste scheme we are still pushing the Council to get more homes added. This will help to reduce the amount of biodegradeable waste going to landfill and make it much easier for many residents to dispose of garden waste.”