The Environment Minister has called on Bradfordians to recycle more and is backing the idea of rewards for those who do.

Caroline Spelman, the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said that recycling rates in the district are 27 per cent and more needs to be done.

But Bradford Council has said that figure is out of date, and it now recycles 30 per cent of household waste.

Miss Spelman made the call after announcing that the Government is to carry out a full review of waste policy in England.

She said: “We need a new approach to waste – one which works for the new economy. We cannot keep putting recyclable and biodegradable material into landfill.”

She congratulated Bradford for what has been achieved so far in improving recycling rates and added: “We’re now going to help you up your game. We will be encouraging rewards for recycling, and doing all we can to reduce littering.

“We’ll be working with businesses on waste reduction, and ensuring that the waste and recycling industries are innovative, profitable and contributing to the UK economically and environmentally. We also want to see more food waste being used to make energy.”

Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq, the Council’s executive member for environment and sustainability, said: “Bradford’s recycling figures are continuing to increase and we are working hard to ensure that trend carries on into the future.”