A COUNCILLOR claimed people were 'living on muck' during a debate about waste management.

Ribble Valley Council's community committee heard that local authorities across Lancashire had been looking at more effective ways of managing waste.

Commercial services director John Heap, said there had been a huge growth in the amount of rubbish being generated, but that landfill sites were overflowing and becoming scarce. "In recognition of the growth in domestic waste over recent years and the rapid reduction in available landfill sites, borough councils have been discussing the future of waste management.

"A consultation document has been produced and we are being asked to respond to it. We are rapidly running out of landfill sites in Lancashire and this is an excellent opportunity to make our views known," he said.

Coun Charles Warkman said waste management was one of the most pressing environmental issues of the day.

"We are living on muck and running out of landfill sites. Waste management is one of the most pressing environmental issues of the day and we must learn to live with the fact that it is going to cost us money to deal with the problem," he said.

Coun Graham Sowter added: "We can't just keep filling holes in the ground and burdening future generations with this problem."

Councillors called for a public awareness campaign aimed at promoting recycling and waste reduction, Government intervention to improve the market in recycled paper and waste producers to bear the cost of collection.

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