BULGING bins across North Somerset could to be bugged in a bid to stop people overfilling them with rubbish. North Somerset Council environmental chiefs are warning unless more people go green and recycle, it may consider introducing microchipped wheelie

BULGING bins across North Somerset could to be bugged in a bid to stop people overfilling them with rubbish.North Somerset Council environmental chiefs are warning unless more people go green and recycle, it may consider introducing microchipped wheelie bins.The high-tech bins would be programmed with residents' addresses and those who flout the limits face being fined.The bins would be weighed as they are lifted onto refuse trucks.North Somerset Council executive member for the environment and community, Cllr Yamanaka said: "We have to look at every option when we review the waste strategy each year."We could bring in microchips in wheelie bins but this would only happen down the line if things with recycling don't improve."I'm not in favour of this but if we had to do it we would have to do it."I think it would get people's backs up and I would rather they work with us than against us."The warning comes in the same week that the West of England Waste Management and Planning Partnership, made up of North Somerset Council, Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and Gloucestershire councils, begins its public consultation. It is looking at how to cope with increasing pressure from the Government to put less non-recyclable waste into landfill sites.A total of £180,000 will be spent on consulting the public until March 23 to find out what people think is the best way to tackle the problem.Options include building incinerators to turn waste into energy or building a large composting facility. There could be a few big sites covering the west of England or several smaller ones in each local authority.Anyone who wants to find out more about the consultation can call 01934 888802 or log onto www.rubbishorresource.co.ukl What do you think? First the council stops people buying secondhand items from the tip and then proposes to microchip bins, in a bid to reduce rubbish. Is this a step too far or a sensible approach to go green? Write and tell us at Mailbox, North Somerset Times, 32 Waterloo Street, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1LW. You can also e-mail us at nstimes@archant.co.uk