Recycling rates "are a national embarrassment"

A London assembly member for the Green Party has claimed recycling rates in the city are "a national embarrassment", it has emerged.

According to the Telegraph, Darren Johnston stated that while some London boroughs recycle around 12 to 13 per cent of their household waste, other urban areas in Europe have a recycling uptake of around 50 per cent.

However, there are a number of ways people can reuse and recycle items in their homes to cut their carbon footprint, the newspaper suggested.

With a pilot project in Barnet levying a £1,000 fine on homeowners that do not recycle enough, it is thought recycling and reusing household items will become increasingly important.

Community projects will become increasingly important in driving the low carbon initiative, the newspaper suggested, as compost schemes and donations of old paperbacks are likely to be encouraged by local groups.

Meanwhile, the Independent reported today that online eco-network green.tv is encouraging viewers to go green by shopping for organic food and exploring new carbon-friendly technologies.