Council and democracy

What's in the bag

Running from 2 to 6 June, the week's aim was to raise awareness of recycling through encouraging people to recycle one more thing.

The council's officers toured the borough, handing out the bags in Thornton Heath, New Addington and central Croydon's Surrey Street market.

The idea was to encourage people to use the bags instead of plastic carriers which take more than 400 years to break down in landfill sites.

Each bag contained information on how to reduce, reuse and recycle, including a free "no junk mail" sticker for people to attach to their letter box.

The bag also advertised the Love Food Hate Waste campaign (www.lovefoodhatewaste.com), which highlights the fact that we in the UK buy more food than we need and throw away about 33% of it.

Councillor Phil Thomas, cabinet member for environment and highways, said: "The response our officers got from members of the public was heartening.

"They were very keen to take advantage of our reusable cotton shopping bags and that will mean thousands fewer plastic bags will be going to landfill sites.

"Their comments and suggestions show that the recycling message is getting through, and that's important because without the help and enthusiasm of our residents we'll not be able to meet our recycling targets. And if we don't meet those, everybody pays - with a worsening environment and an increase in council tax bills."

To learn more on how to reduce, reuse and recycle in Croydon, contact the recycling team by emailing recycle@croydon.gov.uk or calling 020 8726 6200.