More than 75% of households in Hampshire have a kerbside collection of recyclables. Because of this success, residents are becoming more aware of their responsibility to recycle waste. This now needs to be supported by buying products made from recycled material to increase demand and close the loop: "Buy it, Recycle it, Buy Recycled".

Project Integra officer, Sarah Incher leads the way as Chair of the national Buy Recycled campaign, and many district councils throughout Hampshire will be holding promotions in supermarkets during this week, to encourage shoppers to buy recycled products.

Supermarkets in Hampshire are fully supporting next week’s national Buy Recycled campaign. Entrance displays will show the types of recycled products available, provide information, and people will be encouraged to complete pledge cards. By completing these, they will pledge to consider buying recycled products next time they shop, and also identify the types of recycled products they would be interested in purchasing.

Says Sarah Incher, "In the past, recycled products have been considered second class, and maybe ten years ago they were, but now the quality is high. Product comparisons have shown that people can’t tell the difference. The price of recycled products has come down dramatically, and many are now cheaper than non-recycled.

Recycled products available include steel and aluminium cans, paper products such as stationery, toilet paper and tissues, and plastic products such as refuse sacks, carrier bags, garden furniture and fleece jackets.

A display of recycled products will be held, on certain days during the week, by:

East Hampshire District Council in  Sainsbury’s, Alton and Liphook

                                                    Safeway, Horndean

                                                    Waitrose, Petersfield (trailer                                                     display)

Eastleigh Borough Council          in Sainsbury’s, Hedge End

Hart District Council                   in Waitrose

Southampton City Council          in Safeway, Portswood

Winchester City Council             in Sainsbury’s, Badger Farm

                                                                     There will also be a display in                                                     Winchester City Council                                                     reception area

13 October 1999