WORRIED environmentalists have warned that a plan by council bosses to start charging for picking up old fridges and freezers could lead to the units being dumped on roadsides across the district.

They have urged Chiltern District Council's cabinet not to back recommendations by officers who want to demand £7 for each collection to stem soaring costs for the service caused by new European regulations.

Chesham Green Party chairman Nick Wilkins described the move as "unfortunate" and said: "I don't think everyone will say 'I'll save money if I dump my fridge', because they are so heavy to shift, but I think in principle, why create this problem for yourself?

"Why not just cover collection in the rates?"

Under European law, from January all non-ozone friendly chemicals from fridge coolant systems and insulating foam will have to be removed before the equipment is scrapped.

Chiltern District Council collects nearly 4,000 fridges and freezers each year free of charge and ensures CFC coolant gases are removed, but it has never dealt with insulation foam.

There are no facilities in the UK for dealing with the foam, and from January fridge units will have to be stored rather than scrapped, meaning more costs to the district council.

John Warder, the district council's cabinet member for the environment, said: "We are faced with the problem of having to store these fridges and it's going to cost us money and we don't have it to spare.

"If the Government places the responsibility on us for doing this, someone is going to have to pay."

Mr Warder admitted the new charge could lead to more dumped fridges, but said he didn't expect individuals to object to paying £7 for the service.

"I think this is a reasonable charge it's not exorbitant," he added. "We are not making money out of this."

Chiltern District Council's cabinet was due to meet to make a decision on the issue last night.