Householders are being invited to comment on the way waste, including soil and rubble, is disposed of at Craven recycling sites.

North Yorkshire County Council is looking at possible savings by changing the way it accepts discretionary non-household waste at its Household Waste Recycling Centres, including at Skipton and Settle.

And it is looking at the possibility of no longer saving soil and rubble – or charging for it – which would result in savings of up to £240,000 per year.

The proposed changes are part of a package of measures aimed at ensuring that the council remains on track to achieve millions of pounds in savings as a result of Government funding cuts.

It is committed to saving £92 million in the four years ending on March 31, 2015.

And it has warned that following further announcements by the government over future funding, it will need to find an additional estimated £78 million between 2015 and 2019.

North Yorkshire’s household waste recycling service currently costs £5.9 million. It needs to save £240,000 in 2014/15, but may need to save more in future.

“We are asking people for their views on a number of proposals to achieve the required level of savings now, and in the future,” said Coun Chris Metcalfe, executive member for waste disposal.

“We cannot continue to take these wastes free of charge.

“But we want to change the way we deal with soil and rubble and other non-household wastes in a manner that is fair and causes the least amount of inconvenience to customers using the sites.”

For further details of the proposal and to let the council know what you think, visit the consultation page online at northyorks.gov.uk/hwrcconsultation, e-mail waste.management@northyorks.gov.uk or telephone the customer services centre on 0845 8727374.

The consultation closes on December 22 and responses will be used to inform the final report and recommendations to county councillors in early next year.