BINS in Bucks will not be getting smaller in a bid to force people to recycle more.

But they will come in different sizes, which could cause "bin envy" according to the Government-backed quango The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

WRAP has said families with smaller bins recycle more of their rubbish and suggests councils switch to smaller bins like the standard ones available in Europe.

Most authorities in this area will continue with their alternate weekly collections, collecting general waste one week and food waste on the other.

In South Bucks the standard size for all residents on the green waste trial is 240 litres.

Residents were asked two months before the roll-out of bins if they required larger 360 litres, which were restricted to families of five or more or 140 litre for single residents.

While WRAP said this advice is for guidance only, it follows its calls for food waste to be collected separately on a weekly basis.

In the Chiltern District alternate weekly collections cover two thirds of households. The council provides two standard 240 litre bins - one for general waste and the other for recycleable waste, although a larger 340 litre bin is available for families of five or more and a smaller one for single people or couples if they request it.

A spokesman for Chiltern District Council Stuart Marlton said, "It works for us, although a few people say they have maggots. We don't think that reducing bin size is the answer. "

A spokesman for WRAP said that local authorities needed to be careful about how they went about deciding bin sizes. She said: "Local authorities often have many different types of wheelie bins available. Some families still create lots of waste even though they recycle, they are also given the option of having a bigger bin. It's up to local authorities to decide what their needs are."

Catherine Spalton, a spokesman for Wycombe District Council said it has no current plans to reduce the size of the black rubbish bins.

She said: "The standard size issued is 240 litres. A smaller bin of 140 litres is available and issued to one bed properties; residents can request a 140 bin if they find a 240 is too big and they wish to change. A 340 litre bin is available to families of five or more in the GROW areas upon completion of a form, supplying proof of residency and confirming that they are already fully utilising the recycling services available.

"Residents can request additional boxes for paper, can and plastic recycling if they need more capacity."