Southampton has one of the lowest rates of recycling in Hampshire, according to the latest figures.

Figures from the Environment Department (Defra) show the proportion of waste sent for recycling, composting or reuse between April 2010 and March 2011 was 25 per cent, down one per cent on the previous year.

2011 Recycling Stats

Authority % of waste recycled Eastleigh 43 Fareham 38 Hart 38 Winchester 37 East Hants 37 Test Valley 36 New Forest 31 Havant 30 Rushmoor 27 Southampton 25 Gosport 24 Portsmouth 24 Basingstoke 23

This puts the city well below the national average of 41 per cent.

Household recycling rates fell slightly across Hampshire last year to 40 per cent, down from 41 per cent the previous year.

The figures come as council bosses are considering a shake-up of Project Integra, the partnership of all the local authorities in Hampshire set up to manage waste, which could mean job losses. It costs around £104m a year to collect and dispose of the county’s waste.

Council bosses say Project Integra has dramatically reduced the amount of waste being buried in landfill sites over the past decade but progress has stalled.

The county council is proposing a greater strategic role for the controversial Hampshire Senate and a slimmed-down Project Integra – a move opposed by Eastleigh Borough Council.

Defra figures show top of the league table in Hampshire was Eastleigh, sending 43 per cent of waste for recycling, reuse or composting.

The council has a system in which household waste is picked up fortnightly and is the only district to provide weekly food collections.

Leader of the council Keith House said: “Eastleigh’s high recycling performance is simple: the council provides the widest range of opportunities for recycling in Hampshire, including weekly collection of food waste for recycling as well as glass and battery collection from homes.

“Every other council could raise its game if it wanted to, it’s a matter of political will.”

Basingstoke was bottom in Hampshire with only 23 per cent of waste recycled.

Fifty-one per cent of Hampshire’s waste is burned in energy-from-waste incinerators compared to nine per cent buried in landfill sites – making it the top- performing county council for diverting waste from landfill.