Recycling boxes instead of big wood bins

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) hasprepared a code of practice for councils and other groups settingout how they should provide new Street Litter Bins. Ideas discussed includestandardised signs. The department insists the guidance will be voluntary but aconsultation paper on the plans discusses the possibility of futurelegislation to deal with "market failure". Mark Wallace, campaigns director for the Taxpayers Alliance, saidhe feared the code of conduct could simply pave the way for moremeasures to enforce recycling. "We are concerned about what this will develop into," he said. "This is something where, irrespective of whether it is wellintended, unfortunately once they get into the hands of politicians- certainly local politicians - green measures are being used toexcuse a multitude of sins." But a spokeswoman for Defra said: "It is not mandatory, it is notcompulsory, people will not be fined if they don't do it." She added: "It is about working with the managers of public spacesto make it easier for people to recycle when they are out andabout. "People are great at recycling at home but probably the most ardentrecyclers aren't going to pop it in their handbag and take ithome."