AS the urge to spring clean arrives, Newport council is urging residents to think before throwing away unwanted items.

Rethink Rubbish is a campaign which aims to reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill.

"Once something is thrown into the bin it becomes rubbish and ends up buried at the landfill site. However, many items can be reused and recycled," said Councilor Graham Dally, (pictured) cabinet member for transport and sustainability.

"Items such as clothes, shoes, curtains, toys, books and homewares can be donated to charity shops for resale and re-use by others.

"There are also a number of clothing and shoe recycling banks across Newport." Many residents can also put clothes, shoes, belts and textiles in their green boxes for collection by Newport Waste-savers.

"A high percentage of what people throw away can be of use to others," said manager of Newport Wastesavers Mike Croxford. "Wastesavers work in partnership with other charities to redistribute the clothes and shoes we collect.

"Any items we collect that can't be reused are turned into useful materials such as rags for use in industry."

Residents can also recycle newspapers, magazines, junk mail, directories, food and drink cans, glass jars and bottles.

Clothing banks are available at Docks Way civic amenity area; Hurrans Gar-den Centre, Lang-stone; Tregwyllym Road layby, Roger-stone; Tesco in Spytty and Riverside car park, Stow Hill.

Shoe banks are available at Asda Duffryn and Docks Way.

Telephone Newport Wastesavers on 01633 216856 to sign up for a free green box. To find out more about the Rethink Rubbish campaign visit www.newport.gov.uk/ rethinkrubbish. Questions or comments can also be sent to rethinkrubbish@newport. gov.uk.