RECYCLING is set to come under scrutiny as a council looks to introduce charges to dump building materials.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is launching a ten-week consultation focusing on measures to improve the current system as the cost of dealing with household rubbish and recycling is expected to increase in the coming years.

The authority currently recycles 47 per cent of household waste – the highest rate in the Tees Valley - but it needs to hit the government target of 50 per cent by 2020.

As well as tackling rubbish issues, residents will be asked for their thoughts on dog fouling problems and measures that should be introduced to resolve the issue.

Members of the authority's cabinet approved a series of reports aimed at managing the area’s waste and keeping the borough clean and tidy.

Councillor Helen McLuckie, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “All these plans have been introduced to maintain the council’s commitment to managing the area’s waste and keeping the borough clean and tidy.

“We hope the introduction of new legislation tackling those who don’t clean up after their dog will make people change their ways and not ruin the borough’s parks and green spaces.

“We know there are a lot of responsible dog owners in the borough and we are particularly keen to hear their views. The aim of the legislation is to work with the public so that we have a cleaner and greener borough for everyone.

“In addition, we hope that the seven-day opening of Dunsdale Recycling Centre and better promotion of recycling will see Redcar and Cleveland become one of the greenest boroughs in the Tees Valley.”

To help achieve the recycling targets the cabinet members accepted proposals to reopen Dunsdale Household Waste Recycling Centre seven days a week.

Charges will be introduced for the disposal of non-household waste at Dunsdale. Hardcore and rubble will now be charged at £2.50 per 25kg, plasterboard at £5 per 25kg, and Asbestos will cost £6 per 25kg to dispose of.

Plans to crack down on dog fouling will see the council replace three existing dog control measures with a single Public Spaces Protection Order which would cover the issue of people failing to have the means to pick-up after a dog; excluding dogs from additional designated areas, namely fenced-off children’s play areas; and requiring dogs to be kept on leads in designated areas.