WASTE piling up in Worcestershire has prompted a new recycling plan to encourage people to "think green".

The draft plan, which will look at commercial and household waste, was launched after it was announced the county's recycling figures had fallen behind the national average.

It hopes to use education work, campaigns and events to encourage recycling.

John Bond, environmental protection officer at Worcester City Council, told members of the community services policy and review committee that the Government had to meet recycling levels compatible with Europe.

Worcestershire, he said, had to do its bit.

"We have to increase biodegradable waste such as kitchen and green waste by 2010," he said.

Mr Bond said by 2005, the county and city councils had to cut waste sent to landfill sites by 40 per cent.

"The national growth in household waste is down from three per cent to 2.7 per cent, but figures for the county are closer to three per cent, down from five per cent," he said.

Nationally, recycling figures were expected to be 20 per cent by 2005.

"Ours is eight per cent at the moment," Mr Bond said.

Mr Bond said the council was thinking of expanding its provision of recycling facilities, such as bottle banks, throughout the city.

"We could site them in places of work and housing to try to collect another 440 tons," he said.

"The recycling plan will look at kerb-side collection and work more closely with the voluntary sector."

After the meeting, Mr Bond said members of the policy and review committee would need to review the plan before it was sent on to Cabinet, then the Government.