EAST Lancashire people are being urged to go green in 2003 as part of the national Reth!nk Rubbish campaign.

Lancashire County Council's waste minimisation team have joined forces with organisers to provide some tips for getting rid of waste after the festive period. They include:

saving Christmas cards to use as gift tags. Cards can also be recycled at Tesco or WH Smith stores throughout Lancashire, or in the cardboard skip at household waste recycling centres.

taking empty bottles and cans to a household waste recycling centre or collection point.

Composting Christmas Trees, either through a local collection scheme or by taking it to a local household waste recycling centre.

And if you're having a clear out, take unwanted items to charity shops, or pass them on to family and friends.

County Councillor Brian Johnson, cabinet member for community and regeneration, said: "We all need to think about cutting the rubbish we produce, passing on items that may be of use to other people rather than dumping them, or recycling."

Every year each household in Lancashire produces around a tonne of rubbish -- the same weight as a small car.