Merton Council has given away nearly 300 reusable shopping bags to green-minded residents to help them turn over a new leaf and recycle their rubbish.

Recycling roadshows travelled to Mitcham, Wimbledon and Colliers Wood as well as the Civic Centre in Morden and everyone who came along was invited to make a personal promise to help cut the amount of rubbish produced in the borough.

Around 284 locals pledged to use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags, recycle their Christmas cards, trees and wrapping paper, reuse old wrapping paper and tags and only use rechargeable batteries and energy saving light bulbs. Some residents promised to compost and recycle their rubbish and others opted to persuade their friends to recycle more.

In return, each resident received a reusable shopping bag and several lucky winners also scooped a number of environmentally friendly prizes.

Karen Britton, from Mitcham, won a £25 Tariro hamper but the coffee shop also gave away a Fair Trade Coffee House hamper worth £10 and two vouchers for a sandwich and coffee at the Morden venue.

Riverford Organic Vegetables provided a box of healthy veggies while the Odeon Cinema gave away three pairs of tickets and there were even 15 family fun vouchers for Morden Pool and Cannons in Mitcham and Wimbledon Leisure Centre up for grabs.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Traffic Management, Councillor Tariq Ahmad said: “It is fantastic that so many residents are enthusiastic about pledging to recycle more and have got fully behind the council’s efforts to try and protect our local environment and ensure a greener future for Merton.

“Merton Council has key role to play in relation to environmental issues. This includes not only increasing recycling opportunities for residents but also in emphasising how the smallest change in our lifestyles can make a major contribution to combating climate change.”

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