REWARDS for businesses that recycle could soon be stopped by a council.

Darlington Borough Council cabinet will decide next week whether to stop paying recycling credits to private business as it starts to introduce its own kerbside recycling system across the town.

Recycling credits are paid to encourage organisations to recycle their waste. Last year the council paid out £119,340. Most of the money went to Treesavers, a recycling company which operates throughout the town.

Smaller credits were paid to the British Heart Foundation, Scope, Oxfam and Heighington CE Primary School.

At a cabinet meeting next week, councillors are likely to revise the payments of recycling credits so only charities and schools can continue to apply for them.

By not paying the credits to businesses, the council is hoping to cut competition for its recycling scheme which will be available to every house in the borough by the end of the year.