THE Government has outlined measures to help Swindon Council divert waste from landfill and encourage recycling.

The measures are designed to give local authorities greater flexibility in deciding how best to meet tough national and European waste management targets. They include capping recycling targets for 2005/06 at 30 per cent.

In a separate announcement, Swindon Council was awarded a £142,000 waste performance and efficiency grant.

This will support new and more efficient ways to deliver waste reduction, increase recycling and diversion from landfill.