Record rises in commodity prices are proving both a help and hindrance to councils, through thefts and large financial gains. In July 2005, lead prices were $906 per tonne on the London Metal Exchange – current prices sit at $2,110. And that boom has fuelled an increase in crime. Over the last four months, thieves have stolen 562 drain covers from across the country, at a cost of at least £300 each. But rising commodity prices are helping waste. One tonne of recyclable plastic bottles is now worth £230. The same amount was worth £10 just six years ago. To make the most of this price rise, councils will need to combine with each other to take on the recycling companies and set up their own plants and trading centres. The LGA is urging councils to make the most of this upturn. Cllr Paul Bettison said: ‘We need to get the message to our authorities and say, "Let's see what we can get out of this", without taking silly risks.' Newspapers and cardboard now sell for £100 a tonne – last year it was £50 a tonne Metals from cans now fetches £200 a tonne Copper is now worth £3,000 a tonne The chancellor takes £32 from councils for every tonne sent to landfill By 2010, landfill has to be cut back to 75% of 1995 levels – from then on, councils will be fined £150 for every tonne they send to landfill above EU targets.