Two Whitehall departments and the LGA have played down the rift over recycling in the battle to cut landfill waste. The MJ reported last week that officials were at loggerheads over attempts to cut bin collections to boost recycling. Currently, unless councils significantly reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill sites, they will face tough fines from the EU. Tensions have been running high because councils have tried to tackle the issue by changing bin collections, but have faced hostile local and national media coverage, as well as criticism from opposition MPs. But, in a joint statement, the Local Government Association, DEFRA and CLG reinforced their commitment to meeting the EU's target. Officials say they are united and their work, so far, has already had an impact on reducing levels of waste. They said: ‘We are all working to meet recycling and landfill targets. There is no disagreement that recycling must increase and landfill must go down. The LGA, DEFRA and CLG are all working closely together, and will continue to do so.'