PEOPLE are being encouraged to put their rubbish to good use as part of a recycling initiative.

To encourage people to recycle their green waste at home, local authorities throughout County Durham are working in partnership to offer free, 60-day trials of home composters.

The scheme is aimed at enabling local people to do their bit for the environment by reducing the amounts of waste they send to landfill.

Those opting to keep the composters, which come in two sizes, will be able to buy them at the reduced rates of £15 and £20, compared with the normal prices of £39.95 and £49.95.

Councillor Brian Myers MBE, Durham County Council's cabinet member with responsibility for waste management, said: "At this time of year, thousands of people go out in their gardens to clear out weeds and start new planting.

"Composters give an ideal solution for getting rid of your green garden and kitchen rubbish, whilst providing you with compost to help your new plants grow.

"Approximately 30 per cent of the average bin contents is made up of organic rubbish which can be composted.

"Composting is a fantastic way of trimming your waste, reducing the amount of rubbish buried at the county's landfill sites, and putting the goodness back into your garden for free."

For details, or to order a free trial, call 0870 844 3021