26 September 2007

Guildford's first Recycling Swap Shop attracted crowds of shoppers to the Guildhall this weekend as it was declared a resounding success. Queues of people lined up to join in the fun as over 300 brought items to swap at the first event of its kind in Surrey.

The Recycling Swap Shop, organised by Guildford Borough Council and 96.4 Eagle, offered a chance to recycle old unwanted gifts and swap them for something more useful. Wearing costumes made from newspapers, jugglers from Burnt Toast drew in the crowds and got the recycling message across to swappers in the high street. Pupils from Christ's College helped out on the day.

Jane Brooks, who swapped a teddy bear, a clock and a camera for some CDs and a video, says: "It's a great idea and gets us all thinking about how we can reuse our unwanted items and find them a second home."

This initiative is part of Guildford Borough Council's commitment to improving residents' local surroundings, by focusing on issues that matter most to them such as a cleaner, safer and greener environment.