Environmental charity TIDY Northern Ireland have announced the launch of its new Eco-Home programme with support from Belfast City Council and the Department of the Environment's Rethink Waste Campaign.

Eco-Home is a new environmental programme created to promote waste prevention and sustainable living to all householders throughout the Belfast City Council area.

Participants carry out simple actions and change their environmental behaviours in small ways that can make a big difference. Those who implement the programme should benefit through a reduction in the amount of waste they produce and through money saved from lower fuel and energy bills, whilst at the same time knowing they are helping to save the environment.

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The Eco-Home programme had its first launch event in Ikea Belfast last week, where members of Belfast City Council and TIDY Northern Ireland staff joined Seaview Primary School pupils, staff and parents who will be getting involved in the Eco-Home Programme.

Councillor Pat McCarthy, Chairman of Belfast City Council's Health and Environmental Services Committee, said: "We are very pleased to be supporting the Eco-Home initiative as it represents a win-win not just for the environment, but for our ratepayers across the city.

"If every single person even made a small change, it would make a huge difference. Reducing the amount of waste we produce as a city is something the council is committed to and we need to see Belfast`s recycling rate reach at least 50%. This new initiative puts the issue back in the spotlight and is a reminder to people of the benefits of going green."

Households throughout Belfast are being invited to take part in the programme either as an individual householder or as part of a group. Households can register online at www.eco-homeni.org. Those without internet access can register by calling the Eco-Home team at TIDY Northern Ireland on 028 9073 6920.

(CD)