Poor timing and wet weather have been blamed for Colchester's recycling and waste collection woes.

Councillors said it was wrong to launch the scheme in April, when grass growth was at its highest.

Fingers were also pointed at the unusually wet summer which made it worse.

At last night's cabinet meeting, leader of Colchester Council, John Jowers, said: "It was probably started at the wrong time of the year.

"When 700 tonnes of green waste is produced is perhaps not the best time to launch a new scheme, at a time when grass was growing as high as an elephant's eye."

He said the problems experienced had been a "blow" to the council.

However, he added: "It may still be a problem, but we're one of the best in the country at recycling. You've got to compare what we do to other areas."

Published Tuesday, September 21, 2004

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