Confusion as residents are told not to put compostable bags in compostable bins

COMPOSTABLE bags cannot be used in the new green wheeled bins in the St Albans district although they are acceptable in many other parts of Herts. The biodegradable bags, which are sold in major supermarkets, are used in the small caddies many people have

COMPOSTABLE bags cannot be used in the new green wheeled bins in the St Albans district although they are acceptable in many other parts of Herts.

The biodegradable bags, which are sold in major supermarkets, are used in the small caddies many people have in their kitchens to collect waste vegetable peelings and tea bags for recycling.

But the recycling contractors used by St Albans council, Envar, have said they will not accept compostable bags, other than paper ones, in the green bins.

A spokesperson for the council explained: "One of the problems is that a lot of companies are starting to market these bags and they are made of different materials and biodegrade at different rates. Envar want them all to be the same."

She said the council was looking into a solution to the problem and some way of standardising what people could use in the caddies. She added: "However, paper bags are acceptable and are available at www.paperliners.co.uk or items can be wrapped in newspaper or paper towels."

Blob* Recycling rates for the last quarter in the St Albans district have risen from 39 per cent to 46 per cent over the same period last year. The council has a target of a 50 per cent recycling rate by 2010/11.

A financial penalty of £150 a tonne will be imposed if Herts as a whole has not reached that target by 2012.