HOME-OWNERS in East Hampshire could face heavy fines if they put too much rubbish in their bins and special police could inspect household bins to check the content.

This was the stark warning from East Hampshire district councillors in the week when Environment Secretary Margaret Becket met local government officers to announce strict measures for dealing with BritainÕs abysmal record on waste recycling.

East Hampshire residents are being warned that these measures could include fines on home owners for producing too much rubbish, fines on East Hampshire District Council and other councils if they did not enforce the measures, and the prospect of rubbish police checking individual bins.

There could also be £500,000 fines every week from the European Union if recycling targets were not achieved.

The government has set a target of recycling or composting 33 per cent of all waste.

Chairman of EHDCÕs environment and countryside panel Judy Onslow stressed this week: ÒAll these measures are on the cards for people in this area and landfill sites are already being sought close to East Hampshire homes which, people should be in no doubt, will be used if they do not become more responsible with their waste.Ó

Mrs Onslow added: ÒThe reality is that the government is saying: Recycle or else.Ó

She pointed out that targets could be achieved, as illustrated by the highly successful pilot schemes being run in the north and southern part of the district. In these areas the rate of recycling had rocketed from 11 per cent to about 40 per cent.

ÒWeÕve proved we can do it. East HampshireÕs success in these small areas is a credit to the people carrying out these pilot schemes for us.

ÒOnce the scheme is spread district wide the percentage of recycling could be even higher.Ó

On December 18 EHDC will meet to decide whether to take its waste reduction strategy up a gear.

Members will decide whether to extend alternate weekly collection of refuse and recycling from the current trial areas to the whole of the district.

Mrs Onslow said: ÒAnyone who lives or works in the area is welcome to observe the meeting and hear the debate.Ó