Council recycling rates have rocketed and look set to hit a key national target, according to new figures. Figures released by the LGA revealed increased awareness of green issues have led to the recycling and composting rate hitting 34.5%, up from 30.9% the previous year. The statistics show local authorities in England are closing in on the waste strategy target to reuse, recycle or compost 0% of household waste by 2010. Around 90% of local authorities met or exceed their recycling targets with the highest household recycling/composting rate being 58.4%, in East Lindsey DC. Cllr Paul Bettison, chairman of the LGA environment board, said: ‘It is pleasing to see our recycling rates increasing, but other countries on the continent are still recycling almost twice as much. ‘Councils and council taxpayers are still facing fines of up to £3bn if we do not dramatically reduce the amount of waste thrown into landfill. It is vital we look at alternative ways to continue to improve recycling and escape these fines.'