The executive has set targets for reducing waste

The funding announced by Environment Minister Ross Finnie will be shared by five Scottish councils.

Money from the Strategic Waste Fund will go to North and South Lanarkshire, Fife, West Lothian and East Renfrewshire.

South Lanarkshire Council aims to recycle and compost 28% of its waste and offer kerbside collections to more than 80,000 households.

It will receive more than �7m over three years to bring in waste collection systems.

The council will also use the money to improve civic amenity sites and introduce an environmental marketing and publicity campaign.

This substantial funding will support urgent action to bring about real improvements in communities Ross Finnie Environment Minister

Fife Council will receive �5.38m over three years.

The money will be used to extend the kerbside collection of paper and green waste to 160,000 homes and provide more recycling banks and recycling centres.

East Renfrewshire Council will receive �934,000 over three years, North Lanarkshire Council will receive �618,250 and West Lothian Council gets �67,000.

Mr Finnie said the awards would help meet the Scottish Executive's targets of increasing recycling and composting to 55% by 2020 and reducing reliance on landfill by 60%.

"The plans we are now funding have been drawn up in partnership with local communities, neighbouring councils and the not-for-profit sector," he said.