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Since September 2006, a trial compulsory recycling scheme has been operating in parts of Waltham Forest - meaning all house-hold recyclable waste including paper, cardboard, glass bottles, cans, plastic bottles, textiles, batteries and engine oil must be recycled.

Following the success of the tryout, which saw a significant increase in recycling rates, the scheme was then rolled out across the borough.

So far, around 12 per cent of all households are still failing to recycle and at least a thousand homes have already been warned of the strict penalties for failing to recycle by the council's monitoring officials.

Waltham Forest Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Bob Belam, said a hard-line would be taken with persistent offenders including a Β£100 fine. Anyone refusing to pay could find themselves in court and be faced with a maximum fine of Β£1000.

"We're after persistent offenders who refuse to recycle, it's daft not to recycle because its the right thing to do, it makes good environmental sense and helps to protect the planet for future generations.

"We're not going to root through people's bins or spy on them, we'll look in residents' recycling boxes as they are being emptied to see who is and who isn't recycling.

"If they aren't recycling, we'll try to encourage them to start but the bottom line is if people don't start recycling, they could be fined."

Currently over 30% of waste is recycled in Waltham Forest. New government targets has set a target of 50% by 2012. Failure could result in huge fines for the borough and impact on council tax bills.

Monitor Ben Hudson, said: "In general residents are eager and happy to do their part.

"Sometimes people are new to the area, or they do not realize that recycling is compulsory in Waltham Forest, so it's simply a matter of letting them know that this is the case, and telling them which materials are collected for recycling and how easy it is to recycle.

"It often becomes a blend of informing, educating and encouraging residents to start participating in the scheme."

Details of the Council's compulsory recycling scheme can be found by logging on to: