ENGLISH councils have admitted completing secret searches on householders’ rubbish in an effort to find out how much people are recycling, it was reported last night.
Following requests under the Freedom of Information Act, it has emerged that 87 councils in England approved the examinations to determine where resources should be spent to increase recycling rates, according to reports.
In Kent, 11 councils allowed more than 2,000 homes to have their bins examined without their owners’ knowledge as part of a waste audit last December.
The Local Government Association (LGA) said a clearer picture of people’s bin habits could help householders understand what they can recycle.
But the method has been described as “underhand” by critics, such as the TaxPayers’ Alliance, who fear councils will fine residents.
