Rubbish at recycling

We are on track to hit our target of recycling 25 per cent of our rubbish - double the total of eight years ago. But that target means that three-quarters of Britain's waste still needs to be disposed of in landfill sites.

We lag well behind our European neighbours because the target is not ambitious enough and local authority performances are woefully inconsistent.

Environment minister Ben Bradshaw is right when he says we have to improve; that the poor-performing councils have to be brought up to the level of the high-achievers.

We all have a role to play, of course, but the bottom line is that Britain will only be a recycling success if it is made easy for people, and that means there's a cost.

For too many householders, recycling is a frustrating experience. They obediently separate their different coloured bottles, cans and waste paper, then drive around looking for recycling centres that are not overflowing.

Improved collections and more recycling sites have to be provided and the Government has to back up its ambitions with cash to enable the councils to bring about the necessary improvements.

Otherwise, we'll always be rubbish at recycling.