The environment minister has highlighted the need to recycle more municipal waste.

Elliot Morley pointed to new government figures which showed record levels of recycling by local authorities.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' municipal waste management survey for 2002/03 revealed a two per cent rise to 14.5 per cent in the amount of household rubbish recycled.

But Morley urged councils and the public to do more to preserve scarce resources.

Visiting a waste management centre in the South West county the minister said that town halls cannot be complacent while ambitious environmental targets remain in place.

Ministers want councils to recycle or compost 25 per cent of household waste in 2005/06.

"We are now recycling more than ever. As councils around the country have set up kerbside recycling schemes it's becoming easier for people to do their bit," he said.

"Now let's do more. It can be as easy to put aside waste for recycling as it is to throw it away. Every old newspaper or empty tin can make a difference."

Compulsion?

And the minister threatened to take actions against any authorities which fail to take big enough strides.

"Most councils are working hard to improve recycling rates, providing kerbside boxes and expanding the range of waste materials collected, for example," the minister said.

"But a significant minority are still not doing enough - in some places the national minimum target of 10 per cent has not been reached.

"Defra can help local authorities improve and wants to work together with less-strong performers to achieve better results.

"But those who do not show a commitment to improve their recycling levels risk intervention by the government to make it happen."