Recycling rates are falling in the city with the country's first Green MP.

Despite an improving national trend for reusing household waste, Government figures show just 27.45% was recycled in Brighton and Hove in 2009/10.

This is down from 29.5% for 2008/9 and below the regional average of 35%.

The fall came despite residents electing Green Party leader Caroline Lucas as the MP for Brighton Pavilion.

Brighton and Hove City Council blamed the dip on the recession, saying recycling was easier in rural areas.

But with other authorities in Sussex increasing their rates, opposition councillors suggested the authority was “running scared” to introduce new measures to save money and protect the landscape.

Green councillor Jason Kitcat said: “Recycling more household waste saves money and helps the environment.

“Excuses regarding the recession and our city geography don't bear up to scrutiny when all of England has seen improvements and when we're well behind the regional average.”

He added the Conservative administration could improve rates using a cost-neutral garden waste collection service and by piloting food waste collections.

Geoffrey Theobald, the city council's environment cabinet member, said: “Many councils have seen recycling rates drop in recent years.

“Experts in the field believe this is due to the recession and also because measures to reduce packaging are starting to have an effect.”

He added the authority's recycling rates are already better than those of many other cities such as Portsmouth, Southampton and Westminster.

The figures were revealed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Elsewhere in Sussex, borough and district councils are responsible for collecting waste but county authorities dispose of it.

Both East Sussex - from 35.4% in 2008/9 to 36.8% in 2009/10 - and West Sussex County Council - 39.9% to 42.9% - saw increases in the last year.

Coun Theobald said recycling rates in cities were generally lower than they were in rural areas as many impose fortnightly refuse collections.

Don't miss The Argus tomorrow for your guide to what you can recycle and where.