HAMPSHIRE County Council, has been ranked as the best local authority in the region for recycling, despite coming 205th nationally. It recycles 41.6 per cent of its waste.

Winchester recycles 34.2 per cent and is 282nd.

The authority has pledged to do even more to reduce the amount of waste thrown away each year.

It has announced that a study will be carried out by councils in Hampshire’s waste partnership, Project Integra, to find out more about what people are putting in their bins.

The survey will involve taking samples from both recycling and general waste collected across Hampshire to see what materials are being thrown away and what is being put in recycling bins.

Cllr Rob Humby, member for environment and transport at Hampshire County Council, as well as a senior Winchester city councillor,l said: “Finding ways to increase recycling and reduce the amount of waste produced in Hampshire is high on our agenda, as it would bring both financial and environmental benefits.

“Collectively in Hampshire, councils spend around £100 million each year dealing with household waste.

“By analysing the sort of material people are throwing away and what they are recycling, we can look at where we might make changes to our services and invest in our facilities to help keep the amount of waste to a minimum.

“Labelling on packaging can sometimes be confusing. People in Hampshire are very good at recycling plastic bottles, for example, but other materials, such as food packaging trays or disposable coffee cups which look like they’re made of card, can’t be recycled in the processing plants that we have currently, because they consist of layers of different materials.

“It’s important we have up-to-date information on what people are putting in their bins, so we can ensure our services are fit for purpose in the long term.”

Eastleigh Borough Council was the second highest ranked in the region with 40.7 per cent (220th), followed by Winchester City Council (34.2 per cent, 282nd), Fareham Borough Council (33.2 per cent, 291st), Test Valley Borough Council (33 per cent, 293rd), New Forest District Council (31 per cent, 308th), Portsmouth City Council (24.7 per cent, 340th), and Gosport Borough Council (22 per cent, 344th).

Nationally topping the list was East Riding of Yorkshire Council with 65.4 per cent. Bottom was Newham Council in east London with 14.1 per cent.