AN environmental campaigner is launching a "resource rescue mission" to help improve rubbish recycling at Ryedale's agricultural shows.

Erica Rose, a member of Kirkbymoorside Environmental Group (KMEG), hopes to reduce the numbers of recyclable cans, glass and plastic bottles that go to landfill with the rubbish left after the events.

She said: "Organisers who have tried in the past to provide separate bins for recyclables at shows report that their contents often end up having to go to landfill anyway because people put other kinds of waste into them.

"I am therefore inviting others to join me in repeating a ‘resource rescue mission’ that was successful last year, when a small group of volunteers went along after Ryedale Show and retrieved large numbers of recyclable bottles and cans from the rubbish. The recyclables were later collected by Ryedale District Council and sent for recycling."

Erica, who is also a member of Helmsley Town Council, said: "We were really pleased. It is easy to do, and every 12 cans, 189 plastic bottles or 260 carrier bags recycled save as much carbon as you get from 10 miles of driving the average car.

"Aluminium is obviously the easiest win in carbon-offset terms, and it is also extremely environmentally destructive in terms of mining and manufacture."

Michael Cleary, organising committee member for Malton Show, said that he agreed that the loss of recyclables into landfill was a problem.

"When I was helping with the removal of our show rubbish last week, I was concerned to see the amount of glass being wasted,” he said.

“Perhaps this approach of working with community groups to find a better solution is something that we at Malton Show could give further consideration to.”

Anyone wishing to join Erica after Ryedale Show on Tuesday, July 26, to help with removing recyclable items should phone her on 07791 539552.