AN ECO-friendly club which helps small businesses save money through recycling is taking off to new heights.

Three new Waste Alert clubs will be open during 1999 in Harrow, Bromley and Bexley, and Camden.

Waste Alert was first set up in May to help small businesses recycle waste and spare materials in Lewisham, Lambeth and Southwark.

Since the launch the scheme has gone from strength to strength helping members re-use and recycle more than 200 tonnes of waste and save around £50,000 -- an average of £1,000 per member.

One of the most popular services offered by the club is Waste Exchange whereby members with spare stuff -- anything from bicycles to cardboard boxes -- can find another use for them through the club.

For example a London Bridge-based bicycle retailer saves an estimated £1,300 a year by getting a local firm to re-use its cardboard packaging waste.

Thanks to Waste Alert it has also donated 700 bike frames to charity Recycle which sent them to Botswana and South Africa for use in a variety of vital community projects.

The initiative is supported by several Government bodies including the Environment Agency and the Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme.

ETBPP regional projects manager Dr Mike Walker said: "Waste Alert South Thames has demonstrated that small businesses can achieve substantial savings through waste minimisation and exchange.

"We are pleased our support for this pilot project is encouraging replication and raising awareness of the potential savings for smaller businesses.

He added: "The success of Waste Alert South Thames and the launch of three new clubs in 1999 highlights the increasing demand for advice and support from this important sector."

For more information on Waste Alert call Emma Burlow or Simon Goldsmith on 0171 207 3434.

Alternatively drop them a line at Wastebusters Ltd, 3rd Floor, Brighton House, 9 Brighton Terrace, London SW9 8DJ.

Email address is WasteAlert @wastebusters.co.uk

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