CCTV and automatic number plate recognition are among new controls being planned to stop businesses dumping waste at recycling centres for residents.

Hampshire County Council chiefs are examining proposals they hope will enforce the ban on trade waste at household waste recycling centres like Wade Road in Basingstoke.

The council estimates that about 17.5 per cent of waste dumped at Hampshire's facilities is from businesses, and by 2008 that is expected to cost the council more than £1million a year in disposal costs and landfill tax.

Proposed measures include banning commercial vehicles, which are mainly used by traders, and using CCTV and automatic number plate recognition to identify those vehicles entering facilities.

Height barriers will also be installed to prevent large numbers of vans entering the sites and the council will draw up a clear policy detailing what will and will not be accepted at household waste recycling centres.

However, free permits will be issued to residents who only have access to a commercial vehicle and use that to drop off their household waste.

Councillor Ken Thornber, leader of the county council, said: "Hampshire's household waste recycling centres receive more than four-and-a-half million visitors per annum and currently achieve a recycling/re-use rate of 60 per cent.

"Trade abuse impacts negatively on the general running of the centres because extra tonnages are being managed and staff are put under increased pressure by trade users.

"This then adds to congestion and affects the level of service to householders and makes the general atmosphere on-site less likely to encourage recycling activity.

"The introduction of trade waste controls will not only reduce costs, but also greatly assist with improving customer service for residents visiting the sites."