Recycling rates have dropped significantly in west London, according to new research.

The new annual data published by Defra found that 20 out of 33 London boroughs recycled and composted less waste in 2014/15 compared to the previous year.

In a week when 10 eco-friendly residents in the Fulham and Hammersmith area won cash prizes for their keen recycling, other areas were found to be somewhat less prolific.

The largest drop was found in the borough of Brent, which recycled 5.6% less than the previous year.

Harrow saw the highest amount of households recycle this year, with 45.14% recycling their waste, but a 4% drop from last year.

The worst performing borough in west London though is Westminster, with just 19.12% of households recycling in 2014/15.

The Mayor’s household recycling target is to exceed 45% by 2015 and Harrow was the only borough to hit this target..

According to the data, London as a whole only managed to recycle 33.1% in 2014/15, down from 33.9% the previous year.

This is reportedly the largest drop since 2000 when the annual data was first published.

The new data also shows that London households are incinerating their household waste more than recycling.

London Assembly Member for Green Party, Jenny Jones, said: “In the last two years London’s recycling rates have started going in the wrong direction.

“This reverses a 13 year trend when recycling rates were increasing year on year.

“Londoners want to recycle more but councils have failed to lay on the new facilities and are burning the waste instead.”

“The next Mayor will have to work hard to turn around this dismal legacy, by building sufficient recycling facilities and anaerobic digestors for converting food waste into green energy.”

“The Mayor’s own London Plan shows that we could be recycling 85% of household waste, but instead of treating waste as a resource, recycling and reusing it, London is incinerating more than ever."

Borough Recycling 2013/14 Recycling 2014/15 Percentage change
Harrow 49.15% 45.14% -4.0%
Hillingdon 43.15% 43.83% 0.7%
Ealing 40.15% 40.11% 0.0%
Brent 40.81% 35.21% -5.6%
Hounslow 35.14% 34.47% -0.7%
Kensington & Chelsea 25.45% 25.31% -0.1%
Hammersmith & Fulham 20.53% 20.73% 0.2%
Westminster 21.07% 19.12% -2.0%