Plans were unveiled today to cut the millions of tonnes of waste dumped in landfill sites each year in the North-East.

The region produces more than 13.5 million tonnes of waste and experts predict it will get worse.

The North East Assembly yesterday announced proposals to find more environmentally-friendly ways of disposing of our rubbish, such as waste minimisation and recycling.

It launched a consultation summary document, 'Towards a Waste Strategy for The North East', which outlines a plan for refuse up until 2016.

Prepared by a team of consultants - Environmental Resources Management - it is the first step in developing a region-wide blueprint for disposing of refuse.

Tony Flynn, Assembly chairman, said: "We all have a part to play in dealing with waste.

"The main purpose of this consultation is to seek views and to try and reach as much agreement as possible about the vision and strategy for the future and the action needed to achieve them.

"The Assembly will be considering everyone's comments before adopting a strategy which, hopefully, can command broad support.

"We can then concentrate on working together to manage waste effectively for the benefit of everyone in the region."

The main types of waste produced in the North-East are commercial and industrial waste, construction and demolition waste and agricultural waste.

Around 1.5 million tonnes is municipal waste, most of which is generated by households.

Forecasts based on economic and population projections for the region indicate the volume of waste produced in the North-East will continue to rise year on year and requires a much more sustainable and environmentally acceptable strategy to deal with it.

Landfill is currently a cheap form of waste disposal in the North East but there are environmental concerns about the long-term suitability of landfilling untreated waste.

The North East Assembly is consulting with organisations across the region on the strategy, including local authorities.

The closing date for responses is Friday, March 14.