A GIANT see-through dustbin is the latest weapon in the battle to reduce rubbish.

The three-metre high bin is the centrepiece of a roadshow to encourage residents to recycle more waste. The bin illustrates how up to 60 per cent of everything that is thrown away can be recycled.

David Miller, Durham County Council's head of environmental resources, said: "The average household produces one tonne of waste a year, most of which is currently buried at landfill sites.

"Although much of what we throw away can be used again, just ten per cent of County Durham's household rubbish was recycled in the year 2002/2003."

Staff at the roadshow will be distributing free reusable carrier bags, in an attempt to reduce the 65 million bags dumped in landfill sites in the county each year.

Residents will also be offered a free, 60-day trial of a composter to dispose of green waste.

The show has already taken in Durham, Easington and Darlington. It will be in Crook Market Place today, and Galgate car park, Barnard Castle, tomorrow.

On Thursday, it visits the Safeway car park in Consett, followed by Chester-le-Street Market Place on Friday. The last stop on Saturday is the Aycliffe shopping centre, Sedgefield.

For further details on recycling or a free composter trial, call 0870 8443021.