Linda Miles says a little recycling effort can go a long way

Although the country already recycles nearly 18% of its waste, it is short of the 40% target set for 2010.

One south Wales family, who took part in a 10-week recycling challenge, found they cut the number of black bags they threw out each week from 15 to four.

Waste Awareness Wales said 60% of household rubbish could be recycled.

Anna Richards, manager of the organisation, said: "At the moment, we're throwing away about 80% of our rubbish.

It's really satisfying to know that we are contributing to helping the environment Recycler Linda Miles

"Why we don't recycle is a big question. It's certainly the case that other countries in Europe recycle more than us," she said.

"Recycling is actually very easy. More and more, we're seeing kerbside collections and, if you haven't got that, just put it in the car and drop before you shop - take it to the supermarket and use the recycling bins there.

"Everyone can take part in a smaller way and it will make a huge difference."

More than 80% of household waste is currently sent to landfill sites

The Miles family, from Llysworney in the Vale of Glamorgan, took this advice and managed to cut the number of black bags they threw away each week by 11.

Parents Linda and Bryn, and their six children, first reduced the number by three just by using their council's kerbside recycling.

It dropped even further when they began using local recycling facilities, avoiding unnecessary packaging and donating unwanted items to charity.

Mrs Miles said: "It just goes to show that with a little bit of effort we can all make a big difference to the amount of rubbish we produce and throw away.