Less than 20% of Barnet's households take part in the scheme

From 1 April compulsory recycling is being introduced to four wards in Barnet - Brunswick Park, East Barnet, Oakleigh and Totteridge.

Residents are being told to put glass, cans and paper in the recycling box provided by Barnet Council and to use their wheelie bin for general waste.

Councillor Brian Coleman said they will not be enforcing the rule too strictly.

Recycle 'old shoes'

He told BBC London: "We are just going to say that every household will put out the black box with something in it.

"We'd like them to put the full range of papers, glass, textiles, tin cans and even old shoes. We'd like them to put everything in it.

"But we are not going to check if they put everything in it as long as they put something in it."

One Barnet resident told BBC London: "It's a very good idea for people to recycle their rubbish but to force people into doing it with the threat of a thousand pound fine seems a bit excessive."

Less than 20% of households in some roads in Barnet currently take part in the Recycle from Home Service.

It is introducing the scheme so it can reach its recycling standards and hopes compulsory recycling will be brought in borough wide from October.