Hundreds Make Recycling Pledge

Hundreds of North Tyneside residents gave their backing to a council environment campaign at its first roadshow event.

The initiative invites residents to make a pledge to wash, squash and recycle their plastic bottles in return for the chance to win shopping vouchers worth £20 to £1,000.

At the roadshow, held in Killingworth Shopping Centre on Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12, a total of 215 people completed pledge forms.

The event featured free giveaways, many made from recycled plastic, as well as a recycling bin filled with an unknown number of squashed plastic bottles.

Anyone who makes a pledge can guess how many bottles are in the bin for the chance to win £1,000 in shopping vouchers. The prize will be shared if there is more than one winning entry.

Through the pledge form, an individual can also request a member of the campaign's Reward Team to visit on their collection day.

If they are randomly chosen to be visited and washed and squashed bottles are found in their recycling bin, they will be sent £20 in shopping vouchers.

The next roadshows will be held between 10am and 3pm as follows:

The campaign, which runs until Tuesday, January 31, 2012, aims to increase plastic recycling rates in the borough.

It is being run by the local authority but is entirely funded by recycle-more, a popular recycling information website where consumers, businesses and other organisations can find help and advice on all aspects of recycling at home, at school and in the workplace.

People can make their pledge online at www.northtyneside.gov.uk/squash, by phoning 0345 2000 106, or by completing a form that will be available at roadshow events.