How can we recycle more? We're all ears

A team of attentive listeners is taking to Manchester's streets to ask the city's residents how recycling services can be improved.

Members of Manchester City Council's recycling team will start talking to members of the public in the city centre on Thursday, March 20.

Over the next five weeks, they will visit areas including Chorlton, Harpurhey and Wythenshawe town centres, dressed in their distinctive red fleeces. The team will also knock on doors and talk to shoppers in supermarkets to collect residents' ideas and thoughts about local recycling issues.

They are hitting the streets as part of the City Council's recycling consultation, which was launched on February 25 and will shape the future of recycling across the city.

Councillor Neil Swannick, Executive Member for the Environment, said: "We know Manchester residents want to recycle more and we want the public's views about how we can help them do it.

"We've already asked Manchester residents to get in touch with us via a freephone number, but now we're going out on the streets to ask what they think should be done."

Anyone who calls the freephone number - 0800 995 1911 - with their thoughts on recycling will be put into a draw and will stand a chance of winning £500.

Residents who want to pass on their views on improving recycling services can also log onto the council's website - http://www.manchester.gov.uk/

and follow the link.

Media contact:

Conrad Astley, tel 0161 234 4027

Manchester City Council launched Challenge Manchester - 100 Days to a cleaner, greener city 2008 on February 14 at Manchester Town Hall.

The campaign will run until 24 May 2008, featuring 100 days of intense activity all over Manchester with the first 50 days focussing on green issues - primarily waste minimisation, recycling and climate change - and the next 50 days focussing on community clean-ups, local environmental improvements and planting schemes.

The council will also be asking residents and businesses about what they want the council to do to help them minimise waste and recycle more.

Challenge Manchester began in 2004 with "Challenge Manchester: 100 Days to a Clean City", and in its fifth successful year the campaign returns to its core aim to "clean up" the city.

More information about Challenge Manchester and how you can participate appears on our website http://www.challengemanchester.co.uk/

You can also e-mail campaigns.team@notes.manchester.gov.uk

or telephone 0161 954 9000.