GREEN-FINGERED residents in the New Forest could soon be able to do even more for recycling in the district.

A plan to collect garden waste for composting every fortnight will begin in February if members of the council's environment review panel get their way.

They have given the scheme their approval and it now just needs the portfolio holder for environment to give it the thumbs up before it can start.

The first phase of the scheme would most likely start in Totton, March-wood, Ashurst and Lyndhurst, according to council chiefs.

The rest of the district would be able to join in by 2006.

New Forest District Council has launched the initiative to get closer to meeting high recycling targets set by the government.

At the moment residents can buy grey garden waste sacks to put out for collection but they cannot be composted and are taken directly to landfill.

Under the new scheme, people would be able to buy a reusable, 110-litre, woven polypropylene sack for their garden waste at a cost of £25. They would be charged £15 for each subsequent sack.

The sacks would be carried to the refuse vehicle, where the contents would be emptied out, before being returned to the property.

At a meeting of New Forest District Council's environment panel, Councillor Brenda Smith said: "It will look to people like they are being hit with a whammy of £25 a bag but it will save a year's worth of trips to the tip or a year's worth of grey sacks." A £120,000 vehicle for garden waste collection will be paid for with a government grant.

Councillor Michael Thierry, portfolio holder for environment, is expected to decide whether to approve the scheme next month.

WHAT do you think of the idea? Do you want the recycling scheme introduced? Call our New Forest reporters on 01590 613803, or alternatively, e-mail chris.yandell@soton-echo