London commuters urged to recycle their free newspapers

20 January 2009

Transport for London (TfL) has launched a new campaign to encourage London commuters to recycle their newspapers rather than leaving them on the Tube, bus or train.

Advertisements across the transport network are urging passengers to take their newspapers with them at the end of their journey and recycle them at work, at home, or by putting them into a recycling bin. Currently there are over 300 recycling bins situated outside tube and train stations across London. Most are for recycling newspapers and magazines, but some also collect cans and plastic bottles.

Around 1.6 million free newspapers are given out in London every weekday, and many of these are left by passengers on the Tube. Mayor of London Boris Johnson said:

'It's superb that Londoners have a wide choice of free reads when on the move, but this mounts up to an eye popping 1.6 million newspapers a day to dispose of. Transport for London is doing its best to recycle as many of these as possible, but a team effort would be much appreciated.

'I urge Londoners to recycle their own free paper where possible at home, at work or in one of the recycling bins outside stations.'

Marian Kelly, London Underground's Environment Manager, said: 'TfL is working hard to recycle as much of the waste left on the transport network as possible, and we are always looking for new ways to recycle more newspapers.

'Last year, we recycled more than 6,000 tonnes of waste left on the Tube which is enough to fill more than 100 Jubilee Line carriages.

'It is clear that our passengers have a big appetite for news on the move. By recycling their newspapers at the end of their journey, commuters will give London's environmental effort a huge boost and help keep the transport network tidy for other customers.'