Waste-busting researchers seek volunteers

Researchers hoping to reduce the amount of rubbish sent to landfill sites from Manchester households are looking for volunteers to collect packaging waste for two weeks.

Manchester City Council is seeking residents to collect waste packaging as part of a research project to find out how much non-recyclable material is accumulated by households across the city.

At the end of the fortnight, members of the City Council's recycling team will visit the volunteers, examine how much packaging the households have accumulated, and discuss ways in which they can reduce that amount. The team will then stay in touch with the volunteers to monitor their progress.

The City Council hopes to use this practical information to show other residents how to cut the amount of non-recyclable waste they throw away.

Councillor Eddy Newman, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: "Reducing the amount of waste which is sent to landfill sites is a major priority of the City Council, and we believe this research project will help us show households how they can work towards this."

Anyone who is interested in taking part in the challenge should contact the recycling team on recycling@manchester.gov.uk leaving your name address and contact details. Alternatively, phone Environment on Call on 0161 954 9000 and ask to speak to the Recycling Team.

The research is being done as part of the City Council's ongoing recycling consultation, in which residents are being asked what services they would like to see. More than 11,000 have so far provided feedback about recycling issues.

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

Media contact:

Conrad Astley, tel: 0161 234 4027