HATHERLEIGH and Okehampton primary schools will be taking part in a new campaign to encourage people to recycle more electricals during this year's National Recycling Week — June 21 to 27.

The campaign was launched on Tuesday. Working alongside WRAP, the government funded Waste and Resources Action Programme, the campaign aims to encourage residents to recycle small waste electrical and electronics equipment (WEEE) — and help schools in the process.

When residents recycle old mobile phones, hairdryers, electrical tools and other items of WEEE at one of the county's Recycling Centres during Recycling Week, they will receive a reward token which can be used to benefit local schools.

The schools with the most rewards will win prizes of £500 worth of garden centre vouchers. The primary and secondary school with the most rewards will each win £1,000 worth of garden centre vouchers.

Cllr Roger Croad, cabinet member for environmental and regulatory services said:

'Linking recycling with helping our local schools gives us all a great incentive to recycle more. Knowing that doing something small, like recycling an old toaster, can make a real difference to our community means we can all feel we are doing something to improve our environment and make Devon greener.'

Only one in five of small electricals gets recycled. According to WRAP — one toaster can provide enough steel to make 25 new cans.

To find out more, visit http://www.recyclenow.com">www.recyclenow.com and http://www.recyledevon.org">www.recyledevon.org for more information on recycling in Devon.