Household food waste will have to be picked up weekly under government plans, following anger over reduced bin collections.

The move, proposed by Environment Secretary Michael Gove, forms part of an overhaul of the rubbish and recycling system.

Councils will get more money from the government to pay for the increased frequency of collections, Mr Gove said.

Image: The plans also aim to end the confusion over what people can and cannot recycle

The step comes in response to a number of authorities cutting regular pick-ups to every three or four weeks leading to complaints of smelly overflowing bins attracting flies and rats.

The plans will also include introducing free council-run garden waste collections, according to reports in a number of Sunday papers.


In addition, steps will be taken to end the confusion over what people can and cannot recycle in their area.

Mr Gove said: "For too long food waste has been left lingering in bins for weeks.

"We'll invest to smooth out differences between individual councils, and support comprehensive and frequent rubbish and recycling collections.

"We are committed to going further and faster to reduce, reuse, recycle and cut waste and be the first generation to leave our environment in a better state than we inherited it."

Image: Support is promised for 'comprehensive and frequent' rubbish and recycling collections

Under Mr Gove's national waste strategy, manufacturers will pick up the burden of paying for recycling.

Currently, councils pay 90% of the bill, but under the new regime producers will foot nearly all the cost, forcing them to think about sustainable packaging.

It could raise up to £1bn a year to help with recycling and the disposal of rubbish.

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