Only four of the 33 boroughs recycle above the average recycling rate of 38%.

Gareth Bacon is the member of the Assembly environment committee who will lead the investigation.

Bacon said it was important to look for practical ways to improve rates across the capital by finding out what works and what does not.

"Waste is a resource that we should be using to our economic and environmental advantage. Understanding the challenges and barriers to recycling will help us do that," he said.

The findings of the report are due to be published early next and will feed into work on the Mayor's Municipal Waste Management Strategy.