Recycling could be made compulsory for every home in Bath and North East Somerset.

Nearly one in five residents do not recycle at all, and many more do less than they could.

Bath and North East Somerset Council's approach so far has been to educate and raise awareness, but it is "still failing to persuade a significant amount of people to take recycling seriously".

Now it is considering following Islington, Mid Devon and Swindon's lead and making recycling compulsory.

If it brings in the same policies, persistent offenders will be penalised.

A report to councillors says the warnings that fines could be issued – rather than actually fining anyone – has generated "real results".

It says recycling crews keep an eye out for any households that put recyclable waste in their black bins, or put out little to no recycling.

The report to the climate emergency and sustainability scrutiny panel on March 16 moots compulsory recycling as a "discussion point" for members.

It says: "We have not told residents they MUST recycle.

"We would appreciate discussion and thoughts about whether this should be something included in the action plan for the new strategy, and any other thoughts about how we can compel people who currently won't recycle into doing so."

Islington Council made it compulsory for all residents to recycle in 2011.

Its website says: "You must not throw away anything in the rubbish bin which you can recycle at home using the services the we provide residents, otherwise you may receive a fine.

"Recycling is the cheapest and most sensible way to dispose of your waste. Recycling more means the money saved can be spent on important council services.

"Although recycling advisors can issue fines, they will only do so as a last resort if they are sure that someone has all the information and containers they need to recycle, and are deliberately not recycling."

Managing waste costs the council £14.5million a year, or £181 per household.

Its draft new waste and litter strategy "focuses on changing the culture in the context of the climate emergency" and says: "Our expectation is that if you live in Bath and North East Somerset you recycle."

The authority is aiming to boost its recycling rate from 58 per cent to 68 per cent – which is more ambitious than the national target of 65 per cent by 2035.

The strategy says it could restrict single-use plastics or ban specific materials, and will investigate the use of underground bins.

It also refers to a potential "wall of shame" which would allow residents to upload CCTV or dashcam footage of people who drop litter.

There will be a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping and "every case where there is clear evidence will be investigated". The council will take more cases through court to increase the level of fine.

It has just budgeted £140,000 to bring enforcement back in-house after deciding to sack "private litter army" 3GS.

The strategy says "street champions" could be enlisted to help with leaf collections and the council will "help people do more to help themselves".

Recycling centres could open at evenings and weekends "to fit public needs and achieve cost benefits".

Cabinet members are due to consider the 10-year waste and litter strategy in April.