PUBLIC Services has decided to slash its charge to parishes to deal with separated recyclables in an attempt to encourage them to start their own kerbside recycling schemes.

The department made the decision yesterday as it met as the waste disposal authority.

It comes after last month’s vote on a States-run island-wide collection scheme left the concept in limbo.

From July until 30 December 2011, charges to parishes for ‘suitably segregated recyclates’ collected from households and delivered to Fontaine Vinery or Mayside will be reduced from £40 a tonne to £1.

The new pricing structure will be reviewed in the autumn of 2010.

But with the parishes already locked into collection contracts and not set to meet the public again until around November, it would seem unlikely that there will be any sudden rush to start kerbside schemes.

The report to the board was compiled after a request by deputy Public Services minister Scott Ogier (pictured), who had been contacted by officials in the parish he represents, St Sampson’s, about the costs.

Parishioners there recently rejected a kerbside option.