From video cassettes to ready meal trays, resourceful Southwark residents show innovative ways to recycle

Whether it's sending old reading glasses to developing countries or reusing video cassette boxes, Southwark appears to have a wealth of good recycling ideas.

In March the council asked the borough's residents to pledge to do their bit, in order to enter the spring clearout recycling giveaway. A pledge made by the end of the month, 31 May enters the resident into a free prize draw to win £1,000.

The council also asked locals to share their top tips, and a host of handy tips came back. Here are some of the best.

Top tips

• dig out your old video tapes and recycle the cases at Manor Place in Southwark
• buy liquids in bigger bottles which will result in fewer containers to recycle
• don't buy microwave dishes, instead reuse the ones from ready meals
• donate old pairs of glasses to opticians to be recycled around the world

Cllr Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling at Southwark Council, said: "This spring clearout giveaway has really shown that there's not only a strong commitment to recycling here in Southwark but that residents in the borough are extremely resourceful as well.

"Residents can recycle over 30 different items at our recycling depot, and we'd urge everyone to make the most of it."

Simon Bussell, managing director for prize donor, Veolia Environmental Services in Southwark said: "Residents still have plenty of time to enter the draw and to get recycling. I am very much looking forward to making one lucky, recycling resident £1000 richer this summer."

Further information

The spring clearout recycling giveaway is being run by Southwark Council, in partnership with Veolia Environmental Services, which has donated the prize.

All residents have to do to be entered into the prize draw is make a pledge, on the council's website or in writing, to recycle everything they can whilst having their spring clearout.

Residents who would like to enter should use the leaflet delivered earlier in the year, they can go online to Southwark Council's website at or call 020 7525 2000 to make their pledge.

The spring clearout draw will take place on 31 May 2010. The winner will be announced during Recycle Week at the end of June.

The prize draw is in addition to Southwark Council's recycling rewards scheme. This monthly prize scheme, introduced in November 2008, encourages everyone in the borough to recycle as much as possible. Each month five residents, selected at random by computer, are awarded a £200 prize simply for recycling all their waste properly. For more details go to the recycling page.