WORCESTERSHIRE County Council has hit back at Worcester MP Mike Foster's criticism of a lack of green waste collection in the city.

We reported on Tuesday that Mr Foster had criticised the city council for not doing enough to recycle green waste after 2004/5 recyling figures showed that households in Worcester composted just 0.2 per cent of their waste.

But county councillor John Smith, the cabinet member for the environment and chairman of the joint municipal waste forum, said: "Reducing the amount of waste that we produce per person is our main priority. Current Government focus is on lowering the amount of waste in kilogrammes per head. If Worcester had a green waste collection the amount of waste collected per head would be anticipated to increase to 551kg per head against a target of 485kg per head.

"The focus in Worcestershire is, therefore, to reduce total waste collected and as such Worcester does not operate a green waste collection nor allow green waste in black bags or grey bins.

"The waste strategy focus is on dealing with waste at home.

"The city and county councils offer low-priced compost bins, encourage the use of under-sink kitchen waste disposers and the free Shredderman service, where garden waste is shredded and given back to the householder for use in the garden.

"This strategy is working well, with more 3,000 compost bins being sold through the Mission Impossible promotion in the city since 2004."

To find out more about composting call Mission Impossible on 01905 766883 or visit www.wastemissionimpossible.org.uk