A COMPETITION to reward those doing their bit to help the environment is launched today.

Bolton’s Green Heroes is back for 2008 following the runaway success of last year’s campaign.

The Bolton News has linked up with the Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park to raise awareness of environmental issues affecting the planet while honouring those who are doing all they can to boost their green credentials.

This year there is an additional category — greenest household. We are also looking for the greenest school, business, community group and individual.

The winners of each category will receive £200 in shopping vouchers for stores at Middlebrook. There will also be an overall winner who will receive £500.

Ian Savage, editor-in-chief of The Bolton News, said: “The problems we face globally are not going to go away. We need to do all we can to reduce the impact of our actions on the environment.

“We want to recognise and reward those who are really making a difference to protect the environment for future generations.”

Bolton Council spends £2.5 million each year on recycling initiatives to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

Last year, residents recycled more than 10,797 tonnes of paper, 6,257 tonnes of glass, 1,440 tonnes of cans 1,240 tonnes of plastic bottles and 12,261 tonnes of green waste collected for composting.

Cllr Elaine Sherrington, executive member for cleaner, greener, safer, said: “We welcome this campaign which rewards people for green initiatives such as recycling and looking after the local environment.

“There are a variety of ways for people to recycle, including kerbside collections or taking recyclable material to sites across the borough, and we would urge people to take advantage of these.

“We are also working with schools to help them recycle more and get children into the habit of recycling from a young age.”

Figures released yesterday revealed companies nationwide have made more than £1 billion worth of energy savings in the past year as environmental issues have risen up the business agenda.

A survey of more than 3,000 companies by the British Chambers of Commerce showed that most used energy efficient products and recycled equipment.

One in three said they trained their staff to reduce carbon emissions and a majority said climate change was now a high-priority concern for their business.

Meanwhile, Communities Minister Baroness Kay Andrews has announced a new strategy for the North-west which looks at transport, waste and environmental issues.

The regional plan puts tackling climate change high on the agenda to support national targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60 per cent by 2050 and sets out how growth will be brought forward sustainably.

This will be done by promoting development at locations well served by public transport, the reuse of land and buildings and by meeting targets for electricity to be generated from renewable sources.

The waste management strategy also includes a goal to increase household waste recycling and composting to 55 per cent by 2020.

Baroness Andrews said: “The North-west needs a long-term strategy for boosting its economy, addressing housing need and protecting the environment by tackling climate change.”

Now we want to hear from you.

If you think you have the green credentials to win one of categories, of know someone who does, we want to hear from you.