A THREE-YEAR trial scheme to fund a kerbside waste collection project in Preston and Leyland has been given the 'green light'.

South Ribble Business Venture has secured £1.5 million funding from Lancashire Waste Service's environmental fund to finance the green-organic waste collection project.

The aim of the initiative is to reduce the amount of recyclable waste going to landfill sites by diverting an estimated 36,000 tonnes through the separation and composting of green-organic waste.

Tony Harrison, chief executive of South Ribble Environmental, said: "An analysis of Lancashire's waste showed green-organic waste is the largest single component of domestic waste in the county -- around 50 per cent -- therefore offering the largest target material for a waste reduction and recycling exercise." The partnership, involving Preston, Leyland and Chorley, aims to collect waste from more than 34,000 households on a fortnightly basis using wheeled bins and to take waste to a compositing facility at Clifton Marsh landfill site near Freckleton.

This is the first scheme in the North West to collect organic waste under a 'single-banner' organisation, providing a service across three distinctly different authorities.

An integral part of the project will be the appointment of a Community Development and Education Officer to stimulate community involvement by promoting the project and encouraging participation.

A start date has been earmarked for April 2001 and, prior to collections starting, wheeled bins will be delivered to households and a timetable of collection dates issued.