THE chief executive of a Cheshire-based recycling company says there would be no need for a new incinerator in the county if businesses were encouraged to recycle more.

Rachael Heaps, of Centrol Recycling Group, said there was a need for better facilities to recycle commercial waste in Cheshire.

Last month, Vale Royal borough councillor Ann McEllin said she had learned that of the 200,000 tonnes of waste a year that would be burnt in a new Cheshire incinerator, 162,000 tonnes would be commercial and industrial waste.

Many residents are angry that the first draft of Cheshire's replacement waste local plan includes four possible sites for a 'thermal treatment centre' - which they believe would be an incinerator.

But Rachael said there were problems with commercial recycling because of the different ways businesses and households were taxed.

She said: "It's not as easy for businesses to take waste to a recycling centre.

"At the moment, a lot of their waste is being taken for landfill.

"There's no recycling going on. That's a big problem."

She said most recycling initiatives were aimed at households and there needed to be more incentives for businesses to recycle.

With landfill tax increasing each year, incineration is becoming a more attractive proposition to businesses.

But Rachel said: "We can recycle 150,000 tonnes of waste a year and take away the need for an incinerator.

"Most businesses will recycle if it's cost effective."

Clr McEllin, spokesman for Cheshire Against Incineration (CHAIN), urged people to object to the inclusion of the thermal treatment option in the waste plan before the deadline of June 23.

She said: "This is your community and your environment. It's your responsibility to make your voice heard when you are being given the opportunity."

A form to raise objections or suggest alternatives can be downloaded from the website, www.cheshire.gov.uk/wasteplan.

rbabington@guardiangrp.co.uk