The council came top out of 75 local authorities in a government league table of statistics which cover the first quarter of 2008.

More than 44 per cent of waste in Mid Sussex is now sent for recycling, composting or re-use. This is an increase from around 25 per cent recycled over the same period last year.

Councillor Garry Wall, cabinet member for leisure and outdoor services, said: "At the council, we have done everything we can to make it easier for people to reduce waste going to landfill, but at the end of the day it is residents and local businesses who choose whether to dispose of their rubbish in the best way for the environment.

"It's great that local people take this so seriously, and I would urge everyone to keep up the good work.

"The amount we send to landfill is declining, which in turn means we pay less in landfill tax. It's a win win situation and very encouraging."

The council believes the success is down to a number of initiatives introduced to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, including alternate weekly collections for recycling and landfill waste and a kerbside garden waste subscription service.

The recent introduction of biodegradable sacks for garden waste means that all of the district's garden waste is now sent for composting rather than to landfill.

The council is also encouraging residents in the area to reduce the amount of food waste sent to landfill. Authorities say the county's landfill sites will be full in the next four to five years, and sending food waste to landfill produces methane gas, which contributes to global warming.

For more information visit www.midsussex.gov.uk