Call for checks of recycled rubbish

The Local Government Association (LGA) said a "crackdown" was needed on firms contracted by councils who refuse to reveal where they send the waste.

The move follows a television investigation which revealed how rubbish collected for recycling by at least four British local authorities ended up on Indian farmland. ITV's Tonight programme found British waste, including children's report cards and a St George's flag, buried in farmland wells near the migration path of wild elephants in the state of Tamil Nadu.

The rubbish also included bags of Walkers crisps, Sainsbury's apple juice, Tesco packaging, plastic bags from Mothercare and newspapers. Mail was addressed to residents living in the local authority areas of Tendring, Wellingborough and Wakefield District Councils and Leicestershire County Council.

The LGA, which represents authorities in England and Wales, has written to council leaders urging them to obtain detailed information about where recycled items are sold or sent. It has also written to the Environment Agency, whose role it is to police the trading of recyclable material, to pressurise contracted firms to be more transparent.

Paul Bettison, Chairman of the LGA Environment Board, said: "It is vital that people have confidence in recycling so we can encourage them to go that extra mile and do more.

"If a contractor refuses to reveal where materials are being sold it can lead to suspicion and undermine the whole process. Council leaders also need to build trust in the system and ensure they have as much information as possible about where materials are sent to.

"Although the majority will already have these steps in place, it is important all residents have this assurance."

Recycling rates have risen from 7% in 1997 to 34%. But the LGA said Britain continues to throw more rubbish into landfill sites than any other country in the European Union and must increase recycling rates to avoid taxes and EU fines.

The Environment Agency said it asked the programme to share its findings and would take action if appropriate. It said its chairman Lord Smith would be responding to the LGA's letter in due course.