A local authority says its waste collection charges are the lowest in Somerset despite a decision to cease providing free commercial refuse sacks.
As previously reported, South Somerset District Council announced plans to save a maximum of almost £30,000 by halting the provision of free sacks. Businesses have in the past received 60 free sacks upon purchase of 60 sacks in a "a buy one get one free" arrangement.
The decision was challenged by a number of councillors, who feared that fly-tipping would increase and that smaller firms would suffer financially.
The District Executive did review its decision but maintained its stance to terminate the offer of free sacks from April 1st this year.
A press release issued by the council said that its waste collection charges were still the lowest in Somerset.
"At less than 70p per sack/label, the council's current commercial waste collection charges are the cheapest in Somerset, with most of the other authorities charging between 90p and £1.30," the statement said.
Councillor Nick Speakman, portfolio holder for environmental matters, elaborated: "Paying the full commercial rate for waste collection and disposal should encourage all commercial waste producers to take more responsibility for their own waste and encourage waste minimisation.
"This cost-saving measure is needed to help fund the introduction of kerbside collection of newspapers and magazines for recycling, which is to commence on September 1st to help us hit the target of recycling 22 per cent of household waste by 2003."
At present, the recycled amount is as low as 11 per cent.