A LEADING environmental pressure group has called on the Government to give councils the power to charge households depending on how much waste they produce.

Friends of the Earth wants this variable rate in place of the existing charge in the council tax so good recyclers would save money and homes that generate excessive waste would pay more than they do currently.

West Midlands Friends of the Earth Campaigner, Chris Crean, said: "If we are serious about tackling waste then we need to give councils the power to charge householders a variable rate according to the amount they produce.

"Such schemes are common in Europe and have dramatically reduced waste and improved recycling rates."

However, Coun John Smith, cabinet member for environment at Worcestershire Cou-nty Council, which is responsible for disposing of waste, was less optimistic.

He said: "We'll always welcome any kind of initiative that encourages people to reduce the amount of waste they produce.

"But council tax cannot be treated as charge that is a specific to the individual. It is a tax where the cost of providing public services in the county is shared among all those that could receive that service."

"There is already a council tax saving if people produce less waste as it reduces the amount of landfill tax we have to pay."