THE Manx public is to be consulted on whether residents are prepared to pay for kerbside recycling.

Onchan Commissioners have started the process by distributing a questionnaire to ratepayers to assess the response to the 3-year pilot scheme which started last year.

The service currently exists only in Douglas, Onchan and Braddan but the intention is to eventually expand the operation to cover the whole Island.

The recycling of paper, tins and glass through the project has seen savings of £14,500 a year on disposal fees at the Energy From Waste plant.

However, when the scheme ends next year, local authorities will have to foot the bill.

Onchan Commissioners are asking residents if they would be prepared to pay extra rates so that the scheme can continue.

Deputy chair of the Onchan board, Ray Kniveton, said, "We have circulated a questionnaire and a survey about the service to the ratepayers of Onchan.

"We will then collate the results and spend at least an evening discussing what is best for the future of the town's recycling.

"We know there are many people who want to have the service and we know there are many people who don't because they don't want to pay."