20.03.11: Local green group urges David Cameron to talk half as much rubbish in stunt at town hall

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Local green group urges David Cameron to talk half as much rubbish in stunt at town hall



Hackney and Tower Hamlets Friends of the Earth urged the government to cut rubbish and boost recycling today, Sunday 20 March, by staging a stunt with a larger than life David Cameron. The government is decided what to do about the country's rubbish and local campaigners want a goal to halve the rubbish that people have to put into their black bin bags.



While Hackney council runs the local rubbish and recycling collections, they need a boost from Westminster to be able to improve services and send less rubbish to be buried and burnt. Friends of the Earth groups around the country are taking part in a day of action calling for a nationwide goal halving rubbish and boosting recycling and re-use.



Kate Hand, Coordinator of Hackney and Tower Hamlets Friends of the Earth, said: "People in Hackney are keen to get the rubbish out of their bins - and we're all frustrated by having to bin unnecessary packaging and the stuff that the council doesn't recycle.



"Friends of the Earth's campaigning brought recycling to your doorstep - now we want the Government to halve the rubbish that has to go into our black bin bags by 2020.



"More recycling doesn't mean more hassle or sorting - the best collection services are the simplest for householders and the most cost-effective for our cash-strapped council."



Hackney council currently recycles 24 per cent of household rubbish and runs a re-use service for furniture. Friends of the Earth wants Local Authorities to be able to recycle and re-use more of our household waste and for more products to be designed to be easy to re-use and recycle.





ENDS



Notes to Editors



1. Friends of the Earth is calling on David Cameron to stick to his promise to run the greenest Government ever by halving the rubbish that has to go in our bin -This means boosting recycling and re-use services and making sure that products are built efficiently and designed so they can be easily repaired, reused or recycled.



2. Friends of the Earth campaigned for doorstep recycling from 2001 - 2003. It brought about the Household Waste Recycling Act which resulted in widespread doorstep recycling collections.



3. Friends of the Earth believes the environment is for everyone. We want a healthy planet and a good quality of life for all those who live on it. We inspire people to act together for a thriving environment. More than 90 per cent of our income comes from individuals so we rely on donations to continue our vital work.