Gravesham and Dartford councils are among the worst authorities in the country for recycling waste.

In Gravesham, just over 24% of rubbish was sent for recycling while just under 27% was sent from Dartford.

The newly-released figures come from the Department for Food Environment and Rural Affairs.

They show that 31,571 tonnes of waste was collected from Gravesham residents during 2011-12 and that 24,086 tonnes was not sent for recycling.

Out of 354 local authorities, Gravesham came in at 343 and Dartford came in at 332.

Gravesham runs the clear bag recycling scheme which allows residents to put recycling out with the rubbish. It includes papers, junk mail, foil, plastic bottles and cans.

In Dartford, 35,640 tonnes of waste was collected from Dartford residents during 2011-12 and of that 26,126 tonnes was not sent for recycling.

Tunbridge Wells came top for recycling in Kent with just under 47%, with Tonbridge and Malling close behind at 45%.

The worst performer in the country was Ashford with just 14% being recycled.

Across the country, 43% of household waste was recycled, up from 41.5%.

A spokesman for Gravesham council said: "Gravesham council has kept its weekly refuse and recycling service in recent years against the trend of fortnightly and alternating collections of household refuse and recycling. Our clear bags recycling scheme is both simple and popular as well as being weekly.

"In the last two years the recycling service has been expanded through a new green waste service.

"The council is committed to meeting a 45% recycling rate by 2015/16 and a 50% recycling rate by 2020."

Dartford council did not respond prior to publication.

They show that 31,571 tonnes of waste was collected from Gravesham residents during 2011-12 and that 24,086 tonnes was not sent for recycling.

Out of 354 local authorities, Gravesham came in at 343 and Dartford came in at 332.

Gravesham runs the clear bag recycling scheme which allows residents to put recycling out with the rubbish. It includes papers, junk mail, foil, plastic bottles and cans.

In Dartford, 35,640 tonnes of waste was collected from Dartford residents during 2011-12 and of that 26,126 tonnes was not sent for recycling.

Tunbridge Wells came top for recycling in Kent with just under 47%, with Tonbridge and Malling close behind at 45%.

The worst performer in the country was Ashford with just 14% being recycled.

Across the country, 43% of household waste was recycled, up from 41.5%.

A spokesman for Gravesham council said: "Gravesham council has kept its weekly refuse and recycling service in recent years against the trend of fortnightly and alternating collections of household refuse and recycling. Our clear bags recycling scheme is both simple and popular as well as being weekly.

"In the last two years the recycling service has been expanded through a new green waste service.

"The council is committed to meeting a 45% recycling rate by 2015/16 and a 50% recycling rate by 2020."

Dartford council did not respond prior to publication.