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HELP THE AGED ‘BINS’ BAGS IN ITS SHOPS
HELP
the Aged announced that it is phasing-out plastic carrier bags in
its shops, ahead of a complete end to providing them on 2 June 2008
during National Recycling Week.
This move is the 1st of a series of events that will both highlight
and enhance the considerable role of all 365 Help the Aged shops as
recycling centres. The shops already recycle almost 14 million
second hand goods each year by re-selling them to new owners, with
these items varying from books to bric a brac and clothing. Any
unsold clothes are passed on to third world countries for use by
those who need them.
Leading up to the ban, all shops will host a variety of reused bags
and cardboard boxes to ensure those customers without bags are not
inconvenienced. Help the Aged is looking at alternatives for
customers to use from June.
Terry Mutton Head of Field and Operations said:- “Help the
Aged shops are among the best recyclers on the high street. Our 365
shops have provided customers with two million carrier bags each
year and almost all of these will end up in landfill sites, so
phasing them out is a big step in protecting the environment. We
hope our customers will support their local shop and join us as we
continue to step up our recycling operation."
To help customers adapt to this change, posters will appear in Help
the Aged shops in March and shop staff will talk to customers about
the change from May onwards. The Charity also provides a
nationwide recycling scheme at people’s doors through its collection
bags and is looking into recyclable materials for these.
The Charity’s network of 365 Help the Aged shops raise funds to help
disadvantaged older people by selling donated clothing, books,
bric-a-brac, household textiles and cds. The shops also provide free
information and advice leaflets on issues affecting older people,
their families, carers and friends and actively support the
Charity's national campaigns. |
No
Smoking Day targets smokers on innovative social networking sites
NO Smoking Day charity marks its
25th annual campaign on 12 March 2008 and is encouraging smoker to
take The Great No Smoking Day Challenge to feel healthier and
fitter!
This year’s theme acknowledges quitting is not easy and invites
smokers to commit to a smokefree week. The No Smoking Day website
offers free quit packs, text messages and emails to go on to make a
lifelong commitment. Individual smokers can also get sponsorship for
quitting as well as raise funds for their favourite charity through
the JustGiving.com website.
Another innovative way for
quitters to stay quit is getting support from the No Smoking Day
stop smoking forum. The forum has created an online home for
smoker’s stories and for ex-smokers to share their experiences,
thoughts and support.
The online forum is a popular communication
tool, available 24/7 with almost 3,000 members.
The charity has also embraced social networking and created a
Facebook group – The Great No Smoking Day Challenge – encouraging
quitters to use the support from the group.
A My Space account has
also been created with friends such as Lily Allen and Aisleyne
Horgan-Wallace.
For other who wants to support friends and family who are quitting,
you can send funky animated e-cards with a facility to add your own
personal message.
Vishnee Sauntoo, Campaign Manager of the No Smoking Day charity,
said:- “This year we are targeting smokers directly and
encouraging them to use our website and social networking sites for
information and support.
This year we are expecting more than
2 million smokers to quit so we are ready with quit packs and online
support.”
For a free quit pack and further information visit
www.nosmokingday.org.uk. |
