Cornwall may be fined more than £2m if it exceeds new targets

The amount of rubbish going to Cornwall's landfill sites has been strictly restricted since 1 April.

Some councillors want to discuss the highly controversial idea of building an incinerator.

But the chairman of Cornwall County Council says there is not enough time before the election to convene a special council meeting.

Recycling target

The county produces 440,000 tons of waste each year and landfill space is running out. It is predicted the county will exceed its limit for 2005-06 by 15,000 tonnes.

Under a new scheme to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste in landfill sites and increase recycling, the council will be charged £150 for every tonne it goes over the new government limits. This could trigger a penalty of more than £2m.

About 23% of rubbish is currently recycled in Cornwall and county councillors accept it will not be easy to deal with the problem.

All local authorities in the country must meet a national recycling target of 25% by 2005-6.

The council is considering three bids for a £500m contract to collect and dispose of the county's rubbish and some include plans for an incinerator somewhere in central Cornwall.

If an incinerator is approved, it would probably not be built until 2009 or 2010.