Millions more tonnes of waste produced by businesses may need to be recycled if the UK is to meet its targets on reducing landfill.
Such a move, which could increase demand for industrial conveyors at recycling plants and waste management facilities, will be encouraged by the government following the findings of a new report.
According to the National Audit Office, there was only an 11 per cent reduction in the amount of waste sent to landfill by construction and industry between 2005 and 2008, despite a £240 million campaign by the Department for Energy, Food and Rural Affairs.
Amyas More, head of the audit body, said that the UK would be unlikely to meet its landfill target of a 20 per cent reduction by 2010 without greater efforts being made.
He said: "There are indications that the programme has delivered some positive results: participating businesses have reported benefits, and there should be further long term gains in terms of reductions in business waste."
However, Mr More questioned how much value for money DEFRA will have received from the large outlay it dedicated to promoting recycling.