Watch Your Waste for a Slimmer Bin

Date: 11th August 2008

We are looking for journalists who are interested in either taking part in the ‘Watch Your Waste Challenge' themselves or who would like to follow one of the Camden volunteers.

Camden Council is looking for schools, community groups and local residents to take part in a unique waste challenge being launched across North London in October.

The ‘Watch Your Waste Challenge' will take place from 4th - 12th October and volunteers are being sought to shrink their weekly amount of rubbish.

As part of the challenge participants will need to weigh their rubbish from a normal week, follow tips and advice on how to reduce it and then record the reduction at the end of the seven days.

The challenge forms parts of North London's first 'Watch Your Waste Week 2008', an initiative which aims to get people thinking about the waste they generate and promote ways in which it can be reduced.

A guidance pack full of useful advice, tips, recipes and resources has been produced to help participants navigate the challenge and covers everything from planning for the week, to keeping up the good work after the week is over.

Sara Earl, from Camden's sustainability team, is recruiting participants and explains:

"This is something everybody can get involved with whether they live in a house or a flat or would like to take part as a family or on their own.

"People only need to make small changes, adjusting purchasing habits, recycling and composting more and reusing items instead of throwing them away, but the results are massive.

"We hope to see residents from all walks of life taking part in the challenge."

In Camden 128,370 tonnes of waste was produced last year, 75 % of which could be reused, recycled or composted.

Cllr Mike Greene, Camden Council's Executive Member for the Environment, said:

"Waste is growing year on year and not only is it expensive to dispose of but it is damaging to the environment.

"Whilst it is great that we are recycling and composting more, we need to start thinking about the amount of rubbish we produce in the first place.

"Supporting this waste reduction initiative demonstrates Camden Council's continued commitment to creating a more sustainable environment for future generations."

If you would like further information about the 'Watch Your Waste Challenge', or would like to take part, then please contact Sara Earl on 0207 974 6756 or email sara.earl@camden.gov.uk.

Notes to Editors:

About Watch Your Waste Week:

- Watch Your Waste Week is being launched by the North London Waste Authority in Partnership with its seven constituent boroughs, of which Camden is one.

- The Week is the first initiative of its kind to be run in North London and is one of very few to be run across the UK.

- A guide providing a full list of events and activities taking place both in Camden and across North London will be available from mid-September.

http://www.camden.gov.uk/

If you have a local Camden event or local Camden news you wish to promote, please send the details via e-mail to camden@citylocal.co.uk

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