Sustainability Victoria reports that in 2005-06, Monash was recycling 54 per cent of its waste - higher than the 40 per cent state average.

Monash was topped only by the Nillumbik (62 per cent), Greater Geelong (57 per cent) and Maroondah (55 per cent) local government areas.

Monash Mayor Tom Morrissey said the municipality was above the State Government's target of 45 per cent by 2008-09.

Monash households disposed of 263kg of recycling waste per household each year in the former two-crate recycling system in 2005-06, compared with 437 kilograms of garbage.

Cr Morrissey said recycling participation had increased to 85 houses out of 100 since 240-litre recycling wheelie bins were introduced last year.