Residents of multi-occupancy buildings in London boroughs like Wandsworth will be helped by a new £5 million recycling fund.

The money will be used to improve and create new recycling in flats and high rise buildings.

The London Waste and Recycling Board, who announced the funding, hope to have schemes in place by March 2012.

Councillor David Williams, LWARB Board member and Councillor for London Borough of Merton, said: “Making it easy for flat dwellers in London to recycle is not just a good idea, it is essential.

“Not only will our environment improve but council tax payers will also benefit from reduced landfill charges.”

Flats and multi-occupancy buildings account for around 50 per cent of housing in the capital, but recycling in them is currently only around 10 per cent.

The fund aims to address problems and create new infrastructure such as recycling chutes and underground collection containers.

The LWARB, who identified the problem in their 2010-11 business plan, has a budget of £84 million over the next three years to improve recycling in London.

Their current projects include a charity restoring and selling reused furniture and a centre selling reclaimed building materials.

For information visit lwarb.gov.uk and recycleforlondon.com.