The Mayor today announced that he will chair the new London Waste and Recycling Board and work with the capital's councils to boost recycling and cut the amount of waste sent to landfill.

His predecessor Ken Livingstone had refused to take up the position, prompting claims that he was jeopardising the drive to increase recycling.

Boris Johnson reached an agreement with London Councils - which represents the capital's 33 local authorities - on the board's composition and the appointment of its chair and seven members.

The board was announced by the Government last year with a proposed budget of £60 million.

It aims to deliver funds to boost recycling and ensure London's waste is managed sustainably. Mr Johnson and London Councils will each appoint members.

The Mayor also aims to direct up to £24million of London Development Agency funds being used to improve waste management to complement the board's work.

Mr Johnson said: "While the capital's boroughs have worked hard to drive up recycling in London, it is abundantly clear to me that a new, co-ordinated and collaborative approach is needed to tackle this pressing issue.

"Londoners want to be greener and recycle more, but they need to be offered more hassle-free ways to do so. Together with London's boroughs, I want to deliver new and innovative solutions. As chair of London's new Waste and Recycling Board, I will champion recycling to make London a world leader."

Chairman of London Councils Merrick Cockell said: "It is only by working together that we can rise to the twin challenges of increasing recycling and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill, and we are delighted that Mayor Johnson has accepted this and agreed to work with the boroughs. We look forward to working closely with him to make London an even greener city."

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