In recent years it's become apparent we can't continue to dump our trash in landfills forever. In fact, it's predicted the county will run out of landfill sites by 2016. So now we need to do more than throw away our waste and start to recycle it instead. Current European targets set Northamptonshire County Council the task of recycling 34% of our rubbish during 2006/7. For them to meet this, we're asked do our bit to help.
Blue bins, green bins, wheelie bins, bins for garden waste, compost, timber, hardcore - only if it's clean and countless others are on hand to aid us in segregating our waste. In fact managing our waste costs NCC £17 million each year through a range of initiatives. The Slim Your Bin campaign began in 1999. Its aim was to encourage recycling, composting garden waste and to shop smarter - things like buying products with less packaging and using less plastic carrier bags.
Slim Your Bin >
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Since then others have begun too. The Northamptonshire Waste Network launched in 2003 as a one-stop-shop for businesses who want to 'go green' but aren't sure how. And there are other smaller initiatives which can have as much of a difference. The Real Nappy Campaign informs parents of the damage disposable nappies can do, offering financial incentives to switch to washable alternatives. And a problem many of us suffer from is junk mail. Signing up to the Mail Preference Service and Royal Mail Door to Door service to help reduce unsolicited mail to a minimum. A real sea-change is taking place with regards to our rubbish. And from the handful of examples above, there's really no reason why you shouldn't get it sorted. Depending on where you live in the county depends on the recycling service you're offered. If you don't have a local kerbside collection, Bring Bins are dotted around the county for the disposal of waste. Plus the 10 Household Waste Recycle Centres - formerly known as tips - take a whole range of items for recycling. From car batteries to soil, there's no reason not to recycle almost all of your waste. We have 10 years to change our habits. Failure to do so will mean it becomes increasingly difficult to keep Britain tidy. | 
