MICROCHIPS will not be put into wheelie bins across Wychavon District Council after councillors decided against the plan.

Members of the council's executive board decided the cost of installing the microchips did not represent value for money, particularly as the idea was unpopular and regarded as many as a first step towards pay as you throw' waste charges.

As reported by your Worcester News, the issue was discussed when the council agreed to adopt a wheelie bin and alternate weekly collection service last November.

At that point, councillors refused to rule them in - or out - but, at a meeting this week the board confirmed the microchips, which would cost around £48,000, would not be installed when the new bins are introduced later this year.

Councillor Anna Mackison, board member for Environment, said: "The microchips would have some advantages of helping to identify missed collections and link bins with individual properties plus support the monitoring of recycling participation levels."

"However, we felt that the fitting of microchips did not provide value for money and would be unpopular with some of our residents, and so we will not be putting them in."