A REPORT prepared for Test Valley Bor-ough Councillors has revealed the extent of the discontent over the council's new green waste system - but also pinpoints some of its success.

Between July 2003 and 2004 the total tonnage of waste collected per month fell from 4,503 ton to 3,711 tons while the council's recycling rate leapt from 12.1 per cent to 21.57 per cent.

The improved recycling rate has been put down to the introduction of the sacks and more households using composting bins.

During the months surrounding the launch of the scheme the council received just over 1,000 'communications' from the public concerning the green waste bins, all of which have received a personal reply. Fears that the scheme's introduction would lead to a significant increase in the fly-tipping of green waste appear to have been groundless. "It would appear that there has been little increase in this activity based on the weight of waste recorded at the landfill weighbridge," said head of environment and health, Laura Taylor, in her report to the council's executive.

"Information from commercial services indicates that since the introduction of the scheme there were nine green waste flytips cleared in May, 23 in June and seven in July."

The increased profile given to the green waste topic could also have boosted composting.

Figures show that since 2000 the number of composters purchased by Test Valley residents has reached 8,975 - roughly the same as the number of homes using the green waste sacks.

"It is encouraging that residents have taken to home composting as this is the most sustainable solution to dealing with garden waste," added Laura Taylor.

To improve recycling rates further, two recycling officers have been employed to promote the activity.

One of their tactics has been a 'doorstepping' approach used, so far, in Charlton and Saxon Fields.