The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said Plymouth City Council only recycled 15% of household waste in 2003/2004. Its target was 16%.

The council said it was actually recycling 17.5% and working to exceed a national target of 25% for 2005/6.

Devon County Council was top of county authorities for recycling at 27%, but missing a target of 33% for 2003/2004.

Only two local authorities of the county's 11 managed to exceed their individual recycling and composting targets: Torridge District Council, reaching 23% after a target of 22%; and Torbay Council, managing 21%, exceeding its target of 20%.