Britain is officially the dustbin of Europe, as it dumps more household waste into landfill than another other EU country.

The alarming figures published recently also reveal that if we do not mend our ways, it is estimated we will run out of landfill space within nine years.

The analysis, undertaken by the Local Government Association, which represents more than 400 councils in England and Wales, found that the UK sends 26.8 million tonnes of rubbish to landfill every year - the equivalent of almost half a tonne for every home in the country - and seven million tonnes more than any other country in Europe. Germany, which has a population 25 per cent larger than the UK, disposes of less than half the amount of rubbish.

The countries with the largest amount of household rubbish thrown into landfill each year are the UK, which dumps 27 million tonne Italy, at 20 million tonne Spain, at 17 million tonne France, 13 million tonne and Germany, which dumps ten million tonnes While some countries have a much cleaner track record, with Austria and Finland sending about one-and-a-half million tonnes each and Belgium, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark and Luxembourg coming in well under one million tonnes. * This week, the LGA launched its War on Waste campaign, calling for a radical overhaul of the amount of rubbish produced and the way in which rubbish is thrown away.

Local people, businesses, the Government and councils all have a vital role to play in cutting the amount of rubbish that is produced and thrown away, it said, and warned that the UK faces a huge fine if recycling rates do not rise fast enough to meet the EU Landfill Directive.

Councils, and consequently the taxpayer, could pay up to £150 per tonne of rubbish that is sent to be dumped into landfill sites.

Councillor Paul Bettison, chairman of the LGA environment board, said: "For decades people have got used to being able to throw their rubbish away without worrying about the consequences. Those days are now over.

"The Local Government Association is launching the War on Waste campaign because there needs to be an urgent and radical overhaul of the way in which rubbish is thrown away. We all have to take responsibility for protecting our countryside before it becomes buried in a mountain of rubbish.

"Land amounting to the size of Warwick is already being used to dump our rubbish and, unless the ways of people and business change, then it is estimated we will run out of landfill space in less than nine years time.

"Reducing waste will also help cut carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.

"The Government should give councils 'save-as-you-throw powers to help encourage people to take more responsibility for the way they throw away their rubbish. This would mean a reduction in council tax and a separate charge for waste collection.

It would also require a change in the law.

"Councils want a power, not a duty, so authorities can decide what is best for their local areas. It is not about paying more, it is about paying in a different way, a fairer way too, because if you throw out less you pay less." He added: "Councils are at the frontline in the fight against climate change and are working hard to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. But ultimately we must make sure less waste is produced in the first place.

"Manufacturers must be made to pay towards the cost of getting rid of single use items such as nappies, batteries and throw-away cameras.

The only way to dispose of these products is to send them to landfill and manufacturers should take full responsibility for the lifecycle of their products."

*The figures are taken from 2003/4.