Kingston and Surbiton MP Edward Davey believes Kingston Council could maintain weekly recycling and still save money, in light of Conservative plans to switch to alternate collections.

The Energy Secretary also criticised a lack of consultation over proposals that could see households waiting two weeks to discard certain recyclables, as the Tory-run council renegotiates its waste managment contract with contractors Veolia.

The council announced late last year that it was considering a propsal to switch to alternate collections for paper and tin, a move that would save £4.2m over seven years.

But the plan has been met with resistance from residents and Liberal Democrat councillors.

Mr Davey said: “I think we can save money and maintain weekly recycling.

“When the current recycling scheme was brought in there was a pilot in Berrylands. “There was a consultation for every area to work out what the best way for that house or flat or block would be.

“But this time there has been no consultation, no pilot and not even a proper analysis.”

He added the proposed scheme could lead to the overflow of recyclables, less people recycling and more confusion among residents.

Of Kingston’s neighbouring boroughs, Richmond has weekly recycling schemes, while Croydon currently uses the same alternate system that Kingston hopes to introduce.

Richmond Park and North Kingtson MP Zac Goldsmith said: “The truth is, there is no perfect recycling system because what suits one household won’t necessarily suit another, but it’s crazy to mount a campaign to preserve today’s system which simply isn’t working.

"50 per cent of good recyclable waste ends up in landfill, and although the council should of course listen to people’s concerns, I’m pleased that it is committed to improving, not just maintaining current recycling rates.

“For my part I am working cross-party for changes nationally to reduce the amount of waste we generate as a country – enough to fill the Albert Hall every single hour.”

A decision on the borough’s recycling is set to be made at full council on Thursday, January 15.