WINCHESTER civic chiefs were accused of complacency over the authorities stuttering recycling rates.
Cllr Kelsie Learney, Liberal Democrat leader, said the Winchester average was 34.4 per cent compared to the national average of 43.2 per cent.
The target is for half of discarded material to be recycled by 2020.
She said last night at full Council the Conservative administration was "maintaining a high level of complacency."
Cllr Jan Warwick, portfolio holder for the built environment, said Winchester was the fourth best performing authority in Hampshire.
In 2015 Winchester Action on Climate Change is launchingThe Great Waste Project to encourage more people to recycle.
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