Ealing residents are now recycling more than 40% of all waste - the best rate ever achieved in the borough.

Ealing's recycling rate in 2010/11 was 40.04% - hitting its target of 40%. These released figures coincide with national recycling week which takes place between 20 June and 26 June.

Ealing Council collected 29,172 tonnes of recycling in the year 2010/11 (this includes everything from houses, neighbourhood recycling sites and reuse and recycling centres). This has saved £2.58 million in landfill taxes.

A total of 4,936 tonnes of food waste was recycled , which includes 160 tonnes of food waste collected from schools alone.

The council collected 6,161 tonnes of garden waste from households, and an additional 2,505 tonnes of garden waste from reuse and recycling centres.

Diverting organic waste, such as food waste and garden waste from landfill is very important because when it decomposes it releases damaging gases into the atmosphere.

The theme of this year's national recycling week is to recycle everywhere you go – at home, at work or out and about. In the coming weeks recycling bins are to be installed in Lammas Park, which will allow people to recycle cans, plastic and paper on the go.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for Transport and Environment, said: "I’m delighted that we have met our recycling target and now more than 40% of our waste is being recycled, but there is still plenty of room for improvement and we must continue to drive rates up."

"Every tonne that we divert from landfill not only has an environmental benefit but also saves us money, which we can then spend on valuable services."

"I would also encourage everyone to try and recycle when they are going about their day to day business."