PEOPLE are being consulted on proposals to make South Gloucestershire an even cleaner and greener place for residents.

The council is currently the fifth best unitary authority in the country at recycling household waste and has ambitious plans to improve this even further.

It is proposing a waste strategy that will recycle at least 50 per cent of household waste by 2010 - 10 years ahead of the government target.

As well bringing environmental benefits, the proposals will save money on landfill tax which the council has to pay for every tonne of any waste it dumps in landfill sites.

Costs are rising year on year and the council faces penalties of up to £150 per tonne for exceeding the annual landfill allowance for biodegradable waste.

The proposals include weekly food waste collections, restricting the use of Council SORT IT centres to South Gloucestershire residents and banning all trade use, and investing in a strong waste minimisation, recycling, education and enforcement programme.

Cllr Heather Goddard, executive member for communities, said: "We want to be as environmentally responsible as possible, as well as providing excellent, cost-effective services.

"I would like to thank residents for their enthusiasm and efforts in improving recycling rates in the district.

"I believe that the proposed waste strategy will build on our success so far of achieving the fifth best recycling rate out of 80 unitary authorities and I urge people to have their say on it."

A leaflet outlining the draft waste strategy is available from libraries, Council One Stop shops or can be downloaded from the Council's website.

People can give their views online by visiting the consultation website - www.southglos.gov.uk/waste Alternatively, they can email consultation@southglos.gov.uk, call 01454 868154 or write to Waste Strategy Consultation, South Gloucestershire Council, Community Services, FREEPOST SWB 902, Yate, BS37 7ZZ.

The deadline for all responses is March 31.