HOUSEHOLDERS in York and North Yorkshire are being urged to contribute to a massive tree planting and woodland creation programme.

Every aluminium drinks can - and every kilo of foil - people give up for recycling will count towards the programme, which has been organised by the UK Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro), in association with local councils.

Over 35,000 native trees will be planted in woodlands, parks and private gardens throughout the UK in the autumn of 2004 - all through people getting into the recycling habit.

Local authorities in North Yorkshire and York have registered for the scheme and a tree will be planted locally for every tonne of aluminium cans and foil collected for recycling.

Yorwaste, which collects and recycles aluminium from household waste recycling centres and as part of a number of kerbside collection schemes across the area, says 100 tonnes of aluminium cans are recycled each year in North Yorkshire and the city of York. That's the same weight as 20 double-deck buses and this would equate to 100 trees being planted.

Recycling manager John Miller said: "By recycling cans people will directly be helping to improve the environment, and on behalf of the local authorities I would like to encourage every resident to take part in this important scheme."

Steve Freeman, from Alupro, said: "This is the perfect time to get into the recycling habit this Christmas."

Updated: 08:41 Monday, December 29, 2003