RUBBISH collections in North Wiltshire could be cut back as the district council tries to meet recycling targets.

North Wiltshire District Council is facing a fine if it fails to meet its Government recycling target. It is supposed to recycle 20 per cent of its waste by 2004 but is only recycling 7.9 per cent.

Now councillors are looking at ways to meet the target.

The council's black bag or dustbin collection service, puts no limit on the amount of household waste, and collects garden waste.

It also collects bulk refuse, such as old fridges and sofas, free and gives black bags to pensioners. All these services are to be reviewed.

The council will consider whether to continue to collect compostable materials, tins, glass, paper and disposable nappies as it works out a strategy to deal with the amount of waste buried in landfill sites.

A recent People's Voice survey showed that district residents are overwhelmingly in favour of keeping things as they are.

But Coun Lesley Bennett, the council's lead member for the environment, thinks the service is so good it doesn't encourage people to recycle.

"It's too good and people are not taking advantage of the recycling facilities we have," said Coun Bennett.

The district council is supporting home composting schemes and kerbside recycling collections are under consideration.

CounBennett said she would also like to see a cut-back in bulk pick-ups, with the public making greater use of recycling centres such as Stanton St Quintin, near Chippenham.

"People don't appreciate how many things can be recycled. If you have unwanted furniture or even a fridge, take it to Stanton St Quintin, it can be recycled there," she said.