British waste disposal companies are embroiled in an international criminal investigation into a fake recycling scandal, The Daily Telegraph can reveal.

Three British firms that send household recycling to Poland are being questioned by the UK's Environment Agency over alleged illegal waste disposal.

They cannot be named as the investigation is ongoing.

Polish authorities have also revealed that more than 1,000 tonnes of British waste falsely labelled as recyclable plastic has been seized by government inspectors.

There are growing concerns that British households, who often face fines if they fail to sort their waste into different bins, may be wasting their time.

Earlier this year, China banned the import of plastic waste and British firms began sending increasing amounts to other countries in eastern Europe and Asia. Inspectors at the port of Gdynia caught six British firms attempting to smuggle 45 containers supposedly containing plastic waste.