Householders in Whitchurch could be in line for a surprise next Monday, when former Olympic athlete Roger Black knocks on their doors and starts talking rubbish.

He is throwing his weight behind the Recycle for Hampshire campaign by visiting residents in a bid to boost recycling rates, encouraging them to up the amount they put in their ‘green’ bins or sacks.

Roger will officially launch the Recycle for Hampshire ‘Doorsteppers’ campaign in Whitchurch on 27 June at 10.30am. The Doorstepping team will be offering friendly, practical advice on how everyone can help double Hampshire’s current recycling and composting rates to around 500,000 tonnes of rubbish every year.

Many people are keen recyclers already, and now that most households have access to a doorstep recycling collection service the time is ripe to help even more people make ‘going green’ an everyday part of their lives.

Roger has a busy day on 27 June, with his Whitchurch visit sandwiched between two other initiatives to boost recycling awareness.

He will be urging the County Council to ‘get its house in order’ when he presents the Leader of the County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, with a certificate underlining the authority’s commitment to increasing recycling and reducing waste at 9am.

His final job of the day will be to visit the Tesco store in Havant to open an innovative new automated recycling bank and hand out prizes to local community recycling champions. Rewarding recycling champions is one of the key themes of the national Big Recycle week.

Campaign manager Angela Bethell said: “Recycle for Hampshire is all about raising awareness of the simple fact that every little helps. We can all do something as easy as putting our recyclable material into the right bin or sack, and can be reassured that this really will make a difference.

“Sending more rubbish to landfill isn’t the answer, but each and every one of us can be part of the solution. Roger’s contribution to raising awareness is invaluable, and his enthusiasm is sure to rub off on those households he doorsteps. We’re thrilled he’s on board with Recycle for Hampshire - he’s a real ambassador for the merits of recycling.”

Ends

Notes for Editors

You are welcome to send a reporter/photographer/film crew to any of the events on 27 June. Please contact Sarette Martin on 01962 847666 if you would like to attend.

The six Doorstepping pilot areas - Basingstoke, Havant, New Forest, Portsmouth, Rushmoor and Southampton - were chosen on the basis of where there was the greatest potential for recycling improvements.

20 June 2005