Just 12% of West Berkshire’s waste was composted or recycled last year, against14.5% for England, according to government figures, leaving most councils well short of the 20% target needed to avoid Whitehall intervention.

West Berkshire’s result rose from 11% to 12% in the year to last April, and now the government has raised the national target to 25%. In neighbouring boroughs, Basingstoke and Deane hit 16% and Vale of the White Horse 17%. But Newbury’s recycling is on a par with Reading (11%).

Defra minister Elliott Morley warned that a “significant minority” of councils were not doing enough, adding: “Those who do not show a commitment to improve their recycling levels, risk intervention by the government to make it happen.”

The results vary significantly across the country. Lichfield and Daventry managed over 40%, while dozens of councils failed to hit 10%.

Who’s the greenest?

Windsor 22% recycled Conservative

Bracknell 18% recycled Conservative

Wokingham 15% recycled Conservative

Slough 13% recycled Conservative/Independent

W Berks 12% recycled Liberal Democrat

Reading 11% recycled Labour