These findings were uncovered through research carried out by the Waste and Resources Action (Wrap) programme.

A survey of over 1,500 householders found that while 94% currently recycle, “significant barriers” were stopping them recycling as much as they would like.

Over half said they would recycle more if they had collections of a wider range of materials, 48% still binned things because they were not sure they could be recycled and less than half understood “very well” what they were supposed to use their recycling containers for.

Furthermore, 86% said they would be encouraged to recycle more by seeing the practical impact of recycling in their local area.

According to Wrap, recycling rates have climbed from 7% to 33% over the past ten years with two thirds of English households committed recyclers.

Phillip Ward, director of local government services at Wrap said: “Only be addressing these barriers will we get people to recycle more things more often.

“Good communication about their [councils] recycling service is vital but it will not persuade people to use services which are unreliable or too complicated.”

European Union Member States will have to reuse or recycle 50% of plastics found in the household waste stream by 2020 under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive.