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Local councils in England could be able to charge householders who do not recycle their packaging, under new powers proposed by the government.

Waste and recycling minister Joan Ruddock has invited England's 354 local authorities to come forward with ideas to encourage householders to reduce, reuse and recycle waste.

Under the powers, included in the Climate Change Bill, which was published yesterday (15 November), up to five of these local authorities will be able to pilot their schemes, which will "fit local circumstances" and be approved by the government. They will also follow clear guidelines and include "checks and balances" for residents.

Householders who throw away the least rubbish could receive a rebate on their council tax payments, while those who throw away the most could pay more.

The pilot schemes will be reviewed to measure their success before more widespread introduction.

The government has committed up to £1.5m per year over three years to support the schemes.

Ruddock said the "checks and balances" would require local authorities to provide good kerbside recycling services so that householders had "ample opportunity" to recycle.

Local authorities would also have to take into account the needs of "disadvantaged groups" and have a fly-tipping prevention strategy in place.

While such schemes are common overseas, Ruddock said this was new ground for this country.

"We, therefore, want to give a number of councils the chance to pilot incentive schemes to help monitor impacts and learn valuable lessons," she said.

The Climate Change Bill, claimed to be the "first of its kind in the world", aims to set clear and legally binding targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 60% by 2050, and 26-32% by 2020, against 1990 levels.

"We need to provide the framework that will give government, businesses and individuals a clear idea of how we're going to tackle climate change," said environment secretary Hilary Benn.

A committee on climate change will advise on carbon budgets and investigate whether the 2050 target needs to be strengthened further. It will also report on the impact of including emissions from international aviation or shipping in the UK's targets.

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OTHER KEY POINTS IN CLIMATE CHANGE BILL
• A committee on climate change to be set up to provide an independent progress report to which the government must respond. This will hold the government to account every year on its progress towards each five-year carbon budget and the 2020 and 2050 targets

• The government will report at least every five years on current and predicted impacts of climate change and on its policy for adapting to climate change

• Introduction of the Carbon Reduction Commitment, a new emissions cap and trade scheme for large organisations such as local authorities, supermarkets and other large retailers, and government departments.

Click here for the Climate Change Bill.