EXPANDING a commercial waste recycling scheme could put extra burden on the taxpayer, councillors have been warned.

Officers at Richmondshire District Council are recommending that the collection of cardboard, paper and glass from businesses should not be extended to more rural areas.

Instead, Sean Little, the head of waste, suggested that the services of Hawes company The Good Life be promoted.

The business collects cardboard for recycling across Wensleydale and Swaledale.

A six-month pilot commercial recycling scheme was launched in Richmond, Colburn, Catterick and Brompton-on-Swale in April.

Despite all eligible businesses receiving two letters about the initiative, only 100 companies signed up.

About three tonnes of paper and cardboard are now collected each week.

If the scheme is expanded across the district, a new vehicle would have to be bought and more staff taken on.

Officers estimate the expansion would cost £141,000 a year and would only generate £7,500 from the sale of waste.

Even with the income from all commercial waste customers, a loss of about £18,000 is predicted.

However, Mr Little said a limited expansion of the glass collection service could be introduced using existing resources.

This would utilise the vehicle bought for alternate weekly collections of domestic waste.

Mr Little said in a report to members: "Officers have concluded that implementing recycling services for all commercial customers on the basis of an additional vehicle is not currently viable and could result in significant financial losses in a service for which the council has an obligation not to burden the council taxpayer.

"There is potential, within the current capacity of vehicles and crew, for another single day to be dedicated to recycling of commercial waste.

"With the council's own collection of cardboard and the service offered by The Good Life in Hawes, the expansion of the paper and cardboard service is now considered to be a low priority.

"The capacity now available should, therefore, be used for the collection of glass."

This expansion would be subject to the council receiving funding for new wheelie bins.

Commercial waste recycling will be discussed at a council meeting at Swale House, Richmond, at 6.30pm on Thursday.