A recycling target has been reduced in Suffolk because the ruling political group believes it was too ambitious.
The target date to achieve a 60% rate has been put back from 2010 to 2015.
Jeremy Pembroke, leader of the Conservative dominated county council, said the 40% performance being achieved was still good.
However the Lib Dem opposition believes the step is backward. It said targets are there to be achieved and Suffolk is going to be seen as less eco-friendly.
Mr Pembroke said: "We are still recycling 40% of waste and this is one of the highest achievements in England so I'm very pleased with what we're doing.
"However when we set up the targets four or five years ago I think they were too ambitious."
Leader of the opposition group Kathy Pollard said: "I think it's very embarrassing for the Conservatives who run most the local authorities in Suffolk that the targets are being taken back.
"The whole point of having targets is to try and meet them."
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