Smart bins ‘could record recycling rates and reward households with council tax cuts’

SMART bins fitted with sensors could win council tax cuts for households who recycle a lot, a think-tank has proposed.

Under the high tech plan, clever dustbins could record household recycling rates.

That would let local authorities reward those who send the least waste to landfill sites.

Money could also be saved for tax cuts by councils by being able to plan more cost effective rubbish collections by knowing how much they have to pick up.

The recommendations come in a new report on the use of “tech in the town” by the Social Market Foundation.

Other ideas to save money by using new technology include smart street lighting, which turns on only when people or vehicles are nearby.

Parking space vacancy sensors would help guide drivers straight to available spaces.

And road repair drones could discover potholes and repair them automatically by spraying asphalt.

The SMF’s chief economist Scott Corfe said: “Quite rightly, there is growing concern about the environment and the amount of waste produced by UK households.

“Local government needs to explore how new technologies – including smart bins – can dramatically drive up recycling rates and reduce waste.”

There are huge differences in recycling rates across the country, from close to two thirds in East Riding of Yorkshire to just 14 per cent in the London Borough of Newham.

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