Data collected from microchipped wheelie bins will soon be used to find out who could be recycling more.
South Kesteven District Council has finished delivering the 110,000 wheelie bins it bought at a cost of £1.54m last year.
Another £196,000 was spent on microchips, scanning and weighing equipment and software to collect data on the proportion of r
ecyclable to landfill waste produced by each household.
Plans are being considered to offer incentives to the best recyclers.
The council says wheelie bins have already had a big impact on the amount of recycling in the district.
Before the bins were issued only about a quarter of waste was recycled. But from July 1 to August 28 this year the council recycled 31 per cent of waste. It collected 1,686 tonnes of garden waste, 2,322 tonnes of recyclable waste and 3,455 tonnes of landfill.
Council corporate head for healthy environment Tracey Blackwell said: “All data relating to each bin is currently archived. Shortly, we will start using the data to assess where we might need to support residents who are not taking full advantage of the system provided.
“Where necessary, we will give targeted help and advice to individuals.”
Last year the Mercury reported how Brynley Heaven, of Aslackby, removed the chip from his bin, saying he believed there was a hidden agenda to make people pay for rubbish collection by weight. The council said people who copied his example could be liable for a fine of up to £1,000. No action was taken against Mr Heaven.
