This year Mayo County Council has even more recycling facilities in place for use by householders. Facilities are available for the recycling of Christmas trees, Christmas cards, bottles, jars, cans, cardboard, paper, plastic and much more.

During the month of January, special facilities are available for recycling of Christmas cards and Christmas trees throughout the county. Last year was the first year of the Christmas card recycling scheme and approximately 228,000 Christmas cards were recycled by the people of Mayo! All cards that are deposited for recycling are sent on to a paper recycler and are used to make new paper products. All Christmas trees that are brought for recycling are shredded and the resulting mulch is used in landscaping projects throughout the county.

There are also now over seventy recycling bring centres available where householders can recycle glass bottles, jars and drink cans. The recycling network is further enhanced by the civic amenity centre at Derrinumera. The civic amenity centre, which is located on the road between Castlebar and Newport, is open from Monday to Saturday each week. The public can bring a wide range of goods for recycling to the civic amenity centre including newspaper, cardboard, plastic bottles, food tins and much more.

Sharon Joyce, Environmental Awareness Officer with Mayo County Council has asked the public to make use of the many recycling locations throughout the County.

"The number of people availing of recycling facilities in Mayo is constantly increasing with over 2000 people using the civic amenity centre at Derrinumera each month. We hope that people will make a special new years resolution to help the environment in 2003 by availing of the many recycling facilities available"

Remember to safely dispose of used batteries after the festive season. "Batteries are classified as hazardous waste and should not be sent to landfill with household refuse. Special facilities are available at the civic amenity centre for the safe disposal of batteries. Even better, invest in a battery charger and some rechargeable batteries and you will save money and help the environment."

For further information on any of the recycling facilities please contact Sharon Joyce, Environmental Awareness Officer, Mayo County Council, Aras an Chontae, Castlebar, 094 24444 or visit www.mayococo.ie