PEOPLE are being urged to recycle their Christmas cards following the festive season, as part of the 2002 Christmas Card Recycling Scheme.

Organised by the Great Western Community Forest, with support from the 21st Century Swindon Forum, Sainsbury's, Swindon Borough Council and Severnside Waste Management, the scheme encourages people to recycle their cards to support tree planting in the Community Forest and reduce landfill. For every 1,000 cards recycled, one tree will be planted in the Community Forest area creating a greener and healthier environment in and around Swindon. Last year, nearly one million cards were recycled. Working on the calculation that a person recycles 25 cards, it is estimated that 40,000 local people were actively involved in the 2001 campaign.

Collection points have been organised at the two Sainsbury's stores at Bridgemead and Stratton St Margaret between January 3 and 31. Two special 20 foot skips have been put in place for people to deposit their cards. Eight local schools have also set up their own collection points so that children will not miss out in taking part in the scheme.

Real Christmas trees can also be recycled at the Barnfield Road Recycling Centre, off the Great Western Way. The Recycling Centre is open seven days a week from 8am to 4.30pm and is only closed Christmas Day. All decorations and bases must be removed from the trees first.

Dave Evans, director of the Great Western Community Forest, said: "Taking part in the scheme makes great sense. Not only will it reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and save natural resources, but it will also support tree planting in the Community Forest. We aim this year to cross the one million target."