Recycling doubles in four years

Recycling of household waste has doubled in the past four years, according to new provisional figures released in a report by Defra.

It said English households recycled more than a fifth of their waste (almost 23%) between 2004 and 2005.

Those in the East Midlands recycled 27% of waste, a 20% rise on the previous year - the country's greatest leap.

People in the North East recycled the least at 16% and those in the East recycled the most at 29%.

Doorstep schemes

Local Environmental Quality Minister Ben Bradshaw said: "Every person in England is currently recycling enough to fill eight green wheelie bins, but they could be filling over 20 - the equivalent of 60% of their waste."

The Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) said every household could recycle 60% of its waste.

Chief Executive Jennie Price said: "Nearly 80% of England's households now have doorstep recycling schemes - now we all need to make sure we use them."

However, Friends of the Earth (FOE) called on the government to give local authorities new powers to charge householders according to how much waste they produce.

Recycling targets

The group wants "variable charging" to replace the existing council tax charge and enable good recyclers to save money while householders who did not recycle as much would pay more than they do at present.

Friends of the Earth also want the authorities to ensure the scheme is fair by providing good doorstep recycling and composting services, raising public awareness through education campaigns and helping households on low incomes.

FOE's recycling campaigner Georgina Bloomfield said: "The government has been slow at setting further recycling targets for local authorities and there are currently no targets set beyond 2005/06.

"To ensure councils can plan for the longer term they must provide clear direction in the form of performance standards beyond 2008."