Weekly bin collections in Wharfedale and Aireboro-ugh could end next year under a switch designed to boost recycling rates.

Leeds City Council wants to introduce fortnightly black bin collections in some wards – totalling about 40,000 households – next February, and will choose areas which already do best in recycling to lead the way.

Though no formal deci-sion has been taken, it is understood Otley and Yeadon, Horsforth, Adel and Wharfedale plus Guiseley and Rawdon wards are all in the frame. The change would see black and green bins collected in alternate weeks in the pilot areas.

The council hopes to then roll out the new system across the city in a bid to slash its landfill tax bill, forecast to be £16 million for the next 12 months.

Executive member for environmental services, Councillor Mark Dobson, said the change, and the decision about which areas will be affected first, will be considered carefully.

Councillor Colin Camp-bell (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) said: “I welcome the news Leeds is at last looking at the possibility of a fortnightly green bin collection for these areas.

“This is long overdue and follows repeated calls by ward councillors to intro-duce a scheme.

“We are often contacted by residents who wish to do more to recycle, but the current four-weekly green bin collection means they often have to use the black bin for extra material. Like us, they want to do their bit to protect the environment.”