Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has suggested recycling bins would help cut landfill waste.

Mr Benn, who visited Leicester yesterday, said: "Recycling on the go – by putting bins on the street – would be a way to get Leicester's recycling rates up but it's the council's choice.

"Landfill tax is encouraging councils to collect more materials. We are consulting on whether we should ban certain items from landfill."

Mr Benn was speaking at the West End neighbourhood centre, off Hinckley Road, where he met people working for the council as part of the Government's Future Jobs Fund, which provides temporary work to help the unemployed get a permanent job.

Rich Wilson, 23, of Narborough Road, studied film at university before dropping out last year. He was out of work for six months before he was offered a 12-month placement doing general cleaning and maintenance work for the council on the minimum wage.

Rich said: "We are grateful we have a job and it could lead to a permanent position. We do jobs other departments don't want to – clearing verges and sweeping up dirt."

Mr Benn was also in town to support Labour candidate for Leicester West, Liz Kendall.

Ms Kendall said: "It's the council's and the Government's job to make it as easy as possible for people to recycle."