Green schemes helping Londoners become more environmentally friendly have received a boost this week with more than £2m in grants being backed by London Councils.

Some of the initiatives that will receive funding include those encouraging the use of more sustainable products, refurbishing unwanted computers for community groups to use and also providing local businesses with recycled paper and other green products.

Other initiatives set to get some monetary assistance will be those helping disadvantaged Londoners save money by encouraging them to find cheap ways of making their homes greener.

The London Councils grants committee has agreed to provide £1.24 million towards projects promoting energy efficiency, water conservation and the use of renewable energy. It also approved £828,000 towards initiatives helping to minimise waste and for reuse and recycling projects.

By 2020 it is estimated that London will be producing 23.6 million tonnes of waste annually, and more than 85 per cent of it would need to be recycled or disposed of within London.

Around a quarter of the capital's waste is currently recycled, while London is also the second best region in the country for diverting waste away from landfill. Figures show the capital sent approximately 362 kilograms per head of population of waste to landfill in 2005/6. The average figure across England was 370 kilograms.

Councillor Paul McCannah, chairman of London Councils grants committee, said the aim was to make going greener as simple and affordable for as many Londoners as possible.

He said: "London's residents, including those of low incomes, schools, businesses and developers will all benefit from the package of schemes we have funded today. As well as protecting the planet these initiatives will also help save people money."