GARDEN waste collection charges could be introduced in April if approved by Rugby Borough Council next week.
In their report to councillors, council officers say the optional charge would help the council mitigate government cuts amounting to £800,000.
If the plan is adopted, residents will be able to opt-in to the annual £40-per-bin service, which would start from April 3.
Council leader Coun Michael Stokes said government cuts meant it was imperative to find other ways to fund services – or lose them altogether.
He said: “The last thing we want to do is ask residents to pay more, but like many local authorities, Rugby is now having to look carefully at how we fund these important services, which has led us to have to consider these difficult decisions as a last resort.”
Council resources spokeswoman Coun Carolyn Robbins said: “The current green bin collection service provides no income to the council, while adding a significant cost.
“When the service was started in 2009 we were able to cover the costs with income received for recyclable materials, but raw materials markets have changed and this is no longer possible.
“While the county council has agreed to explore the possibility of sharing the savings they achieve through the green bin material we collect, there are no firm proposals and this is unlikely to reduce the net cost of the service to the point where we can set a balanced budget.”
Other options include three-weekly rubbish and recycling collections, a joint waste collection and disposal authority with neighbouring councils, creating a separate food waste collection service, and stopping green bin collections altogether.
While the council is obliged to provide a free waste and recycling service, it does not have to provide a garden waste collection service.
A survey of residents showed that 45 per cent of nearly 3,000 respondents would use a chargeable garden waste collection service, with most indicating they would pay £45 per year.
Residents will be able to sign up for the service from the beginning of March. Bins would continue to be emptied fortnightly. The proposal will be considered by a special meeting of the council on Tuesday (February 7).
