Don't Scrap it swap it! The Harrogate Environment Center has recently launched a new initiative, responding to the enormous interest shown by local people in recycling and re-using as much of their waste as possible. Finding out how to recycle glass paper ect is easy, but what if you have 500 flower pots you don't need or are trying to get hold of a particular type of clothes drier no longer in production (both cases the center encounted recently). To try and help, we are setting up a database to hold information on what local people are looking for, or trying to find home for , from flower pots to frogs and bicycles to building materials. There is no charge for the service (though donations are always welcome) and more we have listed on the database the more likely we are to fulfill your needs and hopes so do give us a call

The center also acts as a link to existing recycling schemes such as the essential needs furniture store and charities collecting particular items only, such as spectacles, shoes or garden tools as well as the nidderdale let scheme in which members can swap services as well as goods. So if you have anything to give away to a good home or are trying to get hold of something unusual contact the en-viroment center at 5 station parade or phone 01423 540290 WATER SUCCESS! On 10 February 1998, Harrogate Borough Council and Yorkshire Water launched a partnership with strait recycling systems of leeds to provide 227 liter rain water butts to residents and businesses in the harrogate district The scheme sold 1000 water butts complete with lid, tap, rain diverting device and delivery at exceptionally low price of £12.99 each. All anyone had to do was pick up the phone or send a check freepost: within 3 weeks all 1,000 were sold and strait recycling began arranging for the first 400 orders to be delivered. It is estimated that most houses in the district could collect in excess of 500 gallons of rainwater from their roofs each year thats enough to fill more than 10 water butts, however until recently however until now there has been no way of doing it effectively Many householders let rainwater simply run away and then use treated tap water for there gardens and non-essential outdoor tasks such as car washing.

Councillor Michael Newby, Chair of the Environment Health Committee said: "There has been alot of action following the Rio Earth summit and we are all committed to the view that the future for mankind has been based on achieving a balance between our different needs. One of the sayings which is widely used is 'think global act local' By using this old fashioned method of saving water, which many gardeners used to do, it is one small step we can adopt which can have a positive impact on the environment." Sue slack, Yorkshire Water's conservation manager added "By reducing demand we can help protect the environment and reduce the cost involved in providing water as well. We look forward to working in partnership with the council and the people of the harrogate district we are sure the people of harrogate will recognise the benefits both in cost and in environmental terms it will bring" To try to make the project even more environmental friendly, the water butts are made of 100% recycled plastic and are supplied by a local to help reduce transport needs.