Press release - Nov 13, 2007 12:00 AM

SITA Cornwall helps appeal to re-home toys

SITA Cornwall encouraged members of the public to think ‘re-use’ over Christmas 2007 by donating unwanted toys to Helpline’s Christmas toy appeal, in association with Atlantic FM, and to think about reusing items at Christmas instead of throwing them away.

Members of the public were able to drop off toys for the Helpline Christmas toy appeal at pick up points around the county up until 25th November. SITA Cornwall drivers then collected the toys on their usual rounds.

Instead of throwing away toys that children had grown out of, parents were able to ensure that unwanted toys didn't unnecessarily end up in landfill sites. Instead they were distributed by Helpline volunteers to health workers, social care teams and family centres who passed on the toys to under-privileged children.

Grant Scott, Recycling Manager for SITA in Cornwall said: ‘SITA Cornwall was proud to be a part of Helpline’s appeal last year. It was one of the best ways to recycle as many toys as possible that have years of use left in them.’

Christmas is also a time when many households discard mounds of wrapping paper, Christmas trees, cards, food and packaging. SITA Cornwall asked people to think about reusing or recycling these items:

• Wrapping paper can be used to make decorations or saved to wrap presents again
• Christmas cards can be made into gift tags.
• Bubble wrap can be saved and reused to wrap presents that need to be sent by post
• Christmas trees can be taken along to your recycling centre for composting
• Peelings from raw fruit and vegetables can be composted at home in a composter

Louis de Poncheville, SITA Cornwall’s general manager said: “It’s important for householders to reuse as much as they can at Christmas. A huge amount of reusable and recyclable items go to landfill sites and this can easily be reduced if people stop and think before throwing away.’