The proportion of household waste sent for recycling in Huntingdonshire fell last year, figures show.

Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy said a simpler recycling system is needed as England falls “further and further” behind its European neighbours.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs figures show 67,402 tonnes of waste were collected and disposed by Huntingdonshire District Council in the year to March 2023.

Of this, 34,817 tonnes were sent for reuse, recycling, or composting – meaning the area had a recycling rate of 53.3 per cent.

It was down from the year before when 55.5 per cent of household waste was sent for recycling.

Across England, the recycling rate also fell from 42.5 per cent in 2021-22 to 41.7 per cent last year.

Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: “It is disappointing to see our recycling rates falling at a time when we should be doing more than ever to stop valuable materials being buried or burned.”

Despite the overall reduction in waste collected from households, she said the amount of rubbish generated per person must be “dramatically cut.”

“We will do this by reducing the amount of 'stuff' we buy and repairing or reusing what we already own,” she added.

A spokesperson for Huntingdonshire District Council said: “Less garden waste was generated and collected through the summer months due to the hot and dry summer conditions.

“This contributed to a lower percentage of household waste being reused, recycled, or composted compared to previous years. However, the amount of dry recycling tonnage that we collect has been consistent with previous years.

“Our dedicated Waste Minimisation team works with the local community to promote better ways to reduce, recycle, and reuse all types of waste as we should aim for prevention and encourage people to think about what they are disposing of.”