Figures published today show a steady improvement in Scotland's recycling rates and a reduction in the amount of waste going to landfill.

Recycling performance for January-December 2007 shows that 31.2% of municipal waste was recycled or composted.

This is up from 30.5% from the 12 months up to September 2007 and a 4.1% rise from the previous year's figures.

However, Cabinet Secretary for the Environment Richard Lochhead has called for increased action to further improve Scotland's performance.

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Ahead of a visit to meet waste officials at Glasgow City Council, he said: "Today's figures are further encouragement that we are on the right track to improving Scotland's recycling performance and householders, communities and local authorities should be commended for their efforts.

"However, with ambitious targets on recycling and landfill reduction now in place to achieve a Zero Waste Scotland, I want to see more being done, particularly in those areas where performance is below par."

Mr Lochheadsaid it needs to make it as easy as possible for ordinary people to recycle and local authorities have a major role to play.

"It is particularly appropriate to be in Glasgow today and I hope to hear more about how Scotland's most populous local authority is assisting in the drive to make Scotland greener.

"We want to work closely with Glasgow to improve its performance, which will have a significant bearing on the country's overall standing." he said.

(GK)