HOUSEHOLD waste is set to net North Oxfordshire taxpayers £1.5m thanks to the boom in reycling prices, council bosses say.

Cherwell District Council has struck a six-year deal where it will get profits from waste recycled by new contractor UPM.

Under the last deal, struck in 2006, it paid a contractor £55,000 a year to dispose of recycling, and did not get cash back. But the rise in resale prices for paper, cardboard, tins, plastics and drinks cartons means it can now get a good return.

They hope it raises profits from reselling and cuts the amount sent to landfill, which incurs hefty fines.

Depots in Helmdon and Cassington are run by UPM.

Lead member for clean and green, Nigel Morris, said: “Some materials have a high value, meaning the contract will reward the residents’ recycling efforts.

“Securing this for up to six years brings some welcome stability for the service.”

The contract has been signed with neighbouring South Northamptonshire Council, which includes Middleton Cheney.

Its recyclable items are paper, cardboard, plastics and glass, and the council hopes it will be £450,000 better off.

Environmental services portfolio holder Dermot Bambridge said: “The higher income will help to keep costs down.”

This will help fund a single container for all recycling, he said.