A Keep Britain Tidy survey into the importance of the quality of our streets , compared to other issues of world concern, saw the credit crunch top the list of worries, with violent crime and then local environmental quality - as a high priority as terrorism and global warming.

“The Word on Our Street” survey also found that we feel guiltier if we drop litter than when we speed on a motorway or bunk off work for the day!

The survey reported that we link littered streets to our fear of crime.

Phil Barton (Keep Britain Tidy CEO) said “This is really important, people’s perception of safety and well being are affected by the area they live in. If we can tackle things such as litter and graffiti we can also improve people’s quality of life and feelings of wellbeing. Our survey shows that people feel guilty about dropping litter. So why do they persist in doing it? If we can tap into this maybe we can reduce this happening?”

Check out this fabulous website: www.keepbritaintidy.org/

Three years ago Wales produced twenty five million tonnes of waste. From the seven million tonnes handled by our waste facilities in Wales in 2007, around half of the waste, went to landfill sites. These landfills have eight years of space remaining, which because of the way we live our life will never be enough. And it is not good for our environment.

We need to review what we do with our rubbish and recycling is part of the answer. Trying to reuse it before we bin it is a sensible option.

Val Hunt is an artist who is actioning this plan.

She uses recyclable manufactured materials such foil, take-away containers, computer parts and especially metal from drink cans. Much of her inspiration comes from natural forms. Patterns, colours and logos often appear on the finished, expertly crafted objects.

The Alchemist’s Garden is an inspiring, exciting new exhibition full of exotic plants, birds, pond life and wildlife all constructed from throw away material.

This exhibition unites two of Val Hunt’s touring exhibitions: Reincarnated Rubbish and the Alchemist’s Garden in one. Reincarnated Rubbish is Val Hunt’s touring solo exhibition.

’Reincarnated Rubbish’ and ’The Alchemist’s Garden’ are full of witty, humorous, imaginative and thought provoking constructions which will wet the appetite and encourage everyone to experience the fun of creative recycling.

Her exhibition runs from 7th September until 7th October 2009 at the Washington Gallery in Penarth and is worth a visit.

Bookaskip has a few new suppliers on board meaning there are a few new coverage areas in Wales. New Skip Bin service areas within Llundudno include the following:

Aberdovey
Abergele
Amlwch
Arthog
Bala
Bangor
Barmouth
Beaumaris
Betws-Y-Coed
Blaenau Ffestiniog
Bodorgan
Brynteg
Caernarfon
Cemaes Bay
Colwyn Bay
Conwy
Corwen
Criccieth
Denbigh
Dolgellau
Dolwyddelan
Dulas
Dyffryn Ardudwy
Fairbourne
Gaerwen
Garndolbenmaen
Harlech
Holyhead
Llanbedr
Llanbedrgoch
Llandudno Junction
Llanerchymedd
Llanfairfechan
Llanfairpwllgwyngyll
Llangefni
Llangollen
Llanrwst
Llwyngwril
Marianglas
Menai Bridge
Moelfre
Penmaenmawr
Penrhyndeudraeth
Pentraeth
Penysarn
Porthmadog
Prestatyn
Pwllheli
Rhosgoch
Rhosneigr
Rhyl
Ruthin
St Asaph
Talsarnau
Talybont
Trefriw
Ty Croes
Tyn-Y-Gongl
Tywyn
Wrexham
Y Felinheli