2 February 2008

Christmas card campaign success

Schools and offices across Gwynedd have successfully collected over a tonne and a half of Christmas cards as part of the campaign to promote recycling throughout the county.

Blue recycling boxes were placed at the receptions of Gwynedd Council offices throughout the county, and primary schools throughout the county took part in the campaign by encouraging their pupils to bring their cards in to be recycled.

The national Christmas Card Recycling Campaign is run by the Woodland Trust, Tesco and WH Smiths in an attempt to recycle one billion cards, which would otherwise find their way to landfill sites. Some Gwynedd schoolchildren recently joined Council recycling officers as they recycled the cards.

Owain Gwent, Gwynedd Council Waste and Recycling Officer said:

“The Christmas card collection initiative has once again proven to be a huge success. Making small changes like these will lead to significant changes in the long term.

“We are very pleased that members of the public have made the effort of bringing their cards to the collection points at the Council offices and primary schools, and it is very encouraging to see children and young people taking such an interest.”

Councillor Emyr Pugh, who leads on Highways and Municipal matters on Gwynedd Council added:

“I congratulate everyone who helped to recycle so many cards again this year, and thank the Gwynedd residents for their commitment to recycling. By ensuring that we in Gwynedd reach the national recycling targets we will help to make Gwynedd a better place to live.

"It is important that we carry on the good recycling work throughout the year and make use of the considerable recycling facilities now available here in Gwynedd each and every day."

Photo: Kate Wyn Humphries and Gemma Lynne Williams of Ysgol Llanrug presenting the cards to Nia Davies, Sheila Evans and Sylvia Eames of Tesco with Councillor Emyr Pugh, Gwynedd Council Highways and Municipal Portfolio Leader and  Peter Williams and John Cadmore from the Council’s Recycling Team