DUSTBIN microchips – the key to “pay as you throw” charging – will be wheeled out in Sefton in the next few weeks. Householders in the borough will see their waste monitored as Sefton Council becomes one of the 68 authorities around the country to introduce the new technology.
The council insists the new method does not mean it will start charging its less frugal residents – for now.
A spokesman said: “As we recently ordered our new wheeled bins, we considered the possibility that the Government may require councils to adopt such measures in the future.
“The installation cost would increase ten-fold if we needed to add chips once the bins had been delivered to residents.
“They will simply allow us to identify which bin belongs to which property.
“They will also help us improve our own efficiency by allowing us to monitor collection performance. If, and how, they may be used in the future is not yet clear, and any decisions would be taken in light of guidance from the Government.”
Liverpool’s city council leader, Warren Bradley, has criticised the system, branding it a stealth tax.
But while Sefton’s recycling rates are reasonably admirable, Liverpool’s are among the lowest in the country.
In fact, since Sefton revealed their plans last week, the Government has announced it will take control of bin collections in areas where councils fail to improve their recycling record and continue to send too much to landfill – and Merseyside could be a target.
Britain is the only country in western Europe to ban variable charges, and has the third-worst record for dumping rub- bish in landfill. Something needs to be done so the nation can do its bit for the environment.
But, are bin chips the first step for a new stealth tax in an increasingly big brother state, or is it the only way to monitor and encourage recycling?
The Daily Post asks, should our bins be micro-chipped?
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