WASTE collection crews are to become “bin police” and will carry out checks on what the borough’s residents put out for recycling.

Under new rules, approved by council bosses, anyone who severely contaminates his or her recycling bin with items that should not be in there faces being told that it will not be emptied.

In addition, general rubbish sacks left beside the borough’s grey household waste bins will no longer be picked up at all.

The steps have been approved by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Cabinet in an attempt to drive up the borough’s flagging recycling rate, which is the worst in Hampshire and one of the worst in the South East.

Councillor Elaine Still, Cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: “The council has a duty to its residents to take a responsible approach to waste management and to minimise the environmental impact of waste.”

At the moment, only 23 per cent of waste is sent for recycling, with the rest destined for Chineham incinerator.

Under the new rules:

* Collection crews will make quick bin-top inspections by lifting the lid on recycling bins, although they will not be expected to rummage.

* Red tags will be hung on bins if checks find hazardous contamination – such as car batteries or nappies – and they will be left behind.

* Minor contamination, such as yoghurt pots and margarine tubs, will attract yellow tags, reminding the householder what can go in the bin. If this is repeatedly ignored, an official will be dispatched to the property

* One general waste grey bin, with a capacity of 240 litres, will be allowed for a household of up to six people. But once filled, collection crews will not remove any extra side waste. This rule will be waived only if a need can be proved for an extra bin - for example if householders have a medical condition.

* If the side waste rule is flouted twice, an official will be dispatched to the offending household - although no penalties have yet been decided.

* Recyclable side waste left next to the green recycling bin will still be collected.

The changes will not be introduced until April 2011, because the contract with Veolia Environmental Services has to be renegotiated. The Conservative-led administration also plans an education blitz to encourage recycling and to inform people about the changes.

Cllr Still said: "I am confident that this package of proposals will encourage more residents to make full use of the recycling scheme, while we as a council continue to honour our commitment to providing weekly household waste collections."

But Basingstoke First Community Party member Cllr Phil Heath said the bin-top inspections herald the introduction of "bin police".

He told Cabinet members: "I am pleading for you not to go through with this policy, until what can or cannot be collected is clearly defined. Otherwise, you will have some very annoyed residents."

The Cabinet agreed to extend its waste collection contract with Veolia for an extra six months until October 2011. The contract extension is also designed to give the borough council and Hart District Council breathing space as they seek to join forces to sign up a waste contractor in 2011.

Labour councillor Paul Harvey criticised the administration for lack of progress with Hart on working out the cost of a future contract, claiming the plan so far sounded like "it had been written on the back of a playing card".

Cllr Still said that kerbside glass collection remains on her "wish list", but whether it goes ahead would depend on the cost when the contract goes out to tender. Council officials currently estimate it would cost taxpayers £520,000 each year.